When learning a language it is useful to observe and point out the mistakes made by native speakers when speaking our native language. In this post, there is a list of mistakes we make when speaking English.

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1. The coffee (sugar, milk etc) has finished. Meaning: There is no coffee left. Greek phrase: Ο καφές τελείωσε.
2. I have too much work today. Meaning: I have a lot of work today. (More than usual). Greek phrase: Έχω πάρα πολλή δουλειά σήμερα.
3. They got married to Santorini. Meaning: They got married in Santorini. Greek phrase: Παντρεύτηκαν στην Σταντορίνη.
4. Can you open the television? Meaning: Can you turn the television on? Greek phrase: Ανοίγεις την τηλεόραση;
5. My daughter is married with a doctor. Meaning: My daughter is married to a doctor. Greek phrase: Η κόρη μου είναι παντρεμένη με γιατρό. Με means with.
6. Do you like your work? Meaning: Do you like your job? Greek phrase: Σου αρέσει η δουλειά σου; Δουλειά means both work and job.
7. Do you want to see a movie to the TV? Meaning: Would you like to watch a movie on TV? Greek phrase: Θέλεις να δούμε μία ταινία στην τηλεόραση; The phrase would you like is too formal. The verb βλέπω means to see and to watch.
8. It’s time to leave. Meaning: It’s time to go. Greek phrase: Είναι ώρα να φύγω.
9. Greece is the most beautiful country of the world. Meaning: Greece is the most beautiful country in the world. Greek phrase: Η Ελλάδα είναι η πιο όμορφη χώρα του κόσμου. Του κόσμου is possessive case, that’s why we translate “of the world”. However, we can also say: η πιο ωραία χώρα στον κόσμο (στον κόσμο means in the world).
10. “Do you like it?” “So and so.” Meaning: So so. Greek phrase: «Σου αρέσει;» «Έτσι κι έτσι.»

I would like to thank my friends who ask me why we say such and such phrase in English. As you see, we all make mistakes so “I don’t speak Greek because I don’t speak well and I feel embarrassed” is not an excuse. Keep talking!

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