Greek Language Blog
Menu
Search

Let’s talk about the Past! Greek Irregular verbs you must know Posted by on Mar 19, 2014 in Grammar

4812924675_7541dece5a

Feggy Art@flickr

Αόριστος (Aoristos, Past Simple) is one of the most challenging tenses beginners have to deal with. For information on the Aoristos conjugation check this entry https://blogs.transparent.com/greek/tenses-simple-past/

Below there’s a list of some common verbs which have an irregular form and a dialogue in order to put these verbs in context.

Ενεστώτας

(Enestotas)

Present

Transliteration

Definition

Αόριστος

(Aoristos)

Past Simple

Transliteration

είμαι

ime

to be

ήμουν

imoun

έχω

eho

to have

είχα

iha

λέω

leo

to say, to tell

είπα

ipa

βλέπω

vlepo

to see

είδα

ida

δίνω

dino

to give

έδωσα

gave

πηγαίνω

pigeno

to go

πήγα

piga

τρώω

troo

to eat

έφαγα

efaga

πίνω

pino

to drink

ήπια

ipia

ακούω

akouo

to listen, to hear

άκουσα

akousa

παίρνω

perno

to take, to get

πήρα

pira

φεύγω

fevgo

to leave, to go

έφυγα

efiga

καταλαβαίνω

katalaveno

to understand

κατάλαβα

katalava

βγαίνω

vgeno

to go out, to get out

βγήκα

vgika

(Άννα): Γεια σου Στέλλα, τι κάνεις; (Geia sou Stella ti kanis)

Hi Stella, how are you?

(Στέλλα): Είμαι πολύ κουρασμένη. Χθες το βράδυ ο Μάριος ήταν άρρωστος. (Ime poli kourasmeni. Hthes to vradi o Marios itan arostos)

I’m very tired. Last night Marios was ill.

(Άννα): Είχε πυρετό; (Ihe pireto)

Did he have a temperature?

(Στέλλα): Ναι. Τριάντα εννιά και πέντε. Και το πρωί δεν έφαγε τίποτα. Ήπιε μόνο νερό. (Ne. Trianta enia ke pente. Ke to proi den efage tipota. Ipie mono nero)

Yes. 39.5. And he had nothing to eat in the morning. He drank just water.

(Άννα): Πήρε κανένα φάρμακο; (Pire kanena farmako)

Did he take any medicine?

(Στέλλα): Όχι, αλλά τον είδε ο γιατρός. (Ohi, alla ton ide o giatros)

No, but we called in for the doctor.

(Άννα): Και τι είπε; (Ke ti ipe)

What did he say?

(Στέλλα): Δεν του έδωσε αντιβίωση. Θα κάνει εξετάσεις πρώτα. (Den tou edose antiviosi. Tha kani extasis prota)

He didn’t prescribe any antibiotics. He has to have done some tests first.

(Άννα): Εσύ που πας τώρα; Στο σπίτι; (Esi pou pas tora? Sto spiti?)

Where are you going now? Home?

(Στέλλα): Ναι, πήγα στο φαρμακείο. Πήρα βιταμίνες και ασπιρίνες. (Ne, piga sto farmakeio. Pira vitamines ke aspirines)

Yes, I went to the pharmacy. I bought vitamins and aspirins.

(Άννα): Είσαι μόνη σου; (Ise moni sou?)

Are you by yourself?

(Στέλλα): Ναι. Ο Αντρέας λείπει. Έφυγε προχθές. Θα γυρίσει σε είκοσι μέρες. (Ne. O Andreas leipei. Efige prohthes. Tha girisei se ikosi meres)

Yes. Andreas is away. He left the day before yesterday. He’ll back in twenty days.

(Άννα): Κατάλαβα(Katalava)

I see…

(Στέλλα): Εσύ τι κάνεις; (Esi ti kaneis?)

How are you?

(Άννα): Καλά… Βγήκα για τρέξιμο αλλά δεν είχα πολύ χρόνο. Τώρα γυρίζω σπίτι. (Kala. Vgika gia treximo alla den eiha poli hrono)

I’m good… I went for a quick run cause I didn’t have much time. Now, I’m heading home.

(Στέλλα): Πάμε μαζί. Άκουσες για το φόνο στο πάρκο; (Pame mazi. Akouses gia to fono sto parko?)

Let’s walk together.  Did you hear about the murder in the park?

(Άννα): Σοβαρά; Όχι, δεν άκουσα τίποτα! Για πες! (Sovara? Ohi, den akousa tipota! Gia pes!)

Murder? Really? No, I know nothing about it! Tell me all about it!

 

Tags: , , , ,
Keep learning Greek with us!

Build vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and more with Transparent Language Online. Available anytime, anywhere, on any device.

Try it Free Find it at your Library
Share this:
Pin it

About the Author: Ourania

Ourania lives in Athens. She holds a degree in French Literature and a Master’s degree in Special Education for Children. Since 2008, she has been teaching Greek to foreigners.