Γεια σας! Thank you all for your comments about my last post (Read a short story in Greek) on our Facebook page. Today this post is about grammar. A few weeks ago, we saw the use of the personal pronouns. Now we will see the use of the strong types of the personal pronouns. As always, there are examples translated in English and an exercise for those who want to practice.

Personal pronouns (Προσωπικές αντωνυμίες)

Strong types (Δυνατοί τύποι)

Singular
1st person	2nd person	3rd person
ονομ. εγώ	εσύ	αυτός-η-ο
γεν. εμένα	εσένα, σένα	αυτόν-η(ν)-ο
αιτ. εμένα, μένα	εσένα	αυτόν-η(ν)-ο
Plural
1st person	2nd person	3rd person
ονομ. εμείς	εσείς	αυτοί-ες-α
γεν. εμάς	εσάς	αυτούς-ες-α
αιτ. εμάς, μας	εσάς, σας	αυτούς-ες-α

 

 

The strong types are used:

1. When we want to make a distinction between two people or things.

Εγώ αγόρασα τα γλυκά, όχι αυτός. / I bought the sweets not him.

Εσάς καλέσαμε στο πάρτι, όχι τα αδέρφια σας. / We invited you at the party, not your bothers.

2. When the pronoun stands alone.

«Ποιος έσπασε το τζάμι;» «Εγώ.» / “Who broke the glass?” “I (did).”

«Ποιον είδατε να τρέχει μετά τον πυροβολισμό;» «Αυτόν.» / “Who did you see running after the gunshot?” “Him.”

3. When we want to give emphasis.

Εσύ τον χτύπησες; / Did you hit him? (The meaning of the phrase is “was it you who hit him or someone else?” The emphasis is on the pronoun. If the emphasis was on the verb, the sentence would be “τον χτύπησες;”)

Αυτόν διάλεξες; / Did you choose him?

4. When they are placed after a preposition such as με (with), σε (to), για (for), από (from).

Αυτά τα λουλούδια είναι για σας. / These flowers are for you.

Δεν βγαίνει ποτέ με μας. / He / She never goes out with us.

 

If you want to practice, here is an exercise: translate the following sentences in Greek.

1. When did you see them?
2. This letter is from her.
3. “Who ate the ice-cream?” “They (did).”
4. Are you talking to me or to him?
5. I don’t want to see him again.
6. Where is Sophia? Oh, I see her now. She’s coming.

You can check your answers here: Personal pronouns_answer key