Greek is not one of the easiest languages to learn and most learners quit their efforts before they reach an intermediate level. In Greek, words such as articles, nouns, pronouns, adjectives and verbs are not invariable but they change according to their function in the sentence.

One of the issues that Greek teachers have to deal with when they teach beginners is the introduction of the αιτιατική (accusative case), which means nothing to a native English speaker. In this post, there are some examples of the use of the αιτιατική with practical explanations and an exercise. The examples refer to the masculine nouns but the patterns provided cannot be applied to any masculine noun.

Use of the αιτιατική

• After the prepositions σε (se), με (me), από (apo), για (gia)

Η Νίκη δουλεύει στον υπολογιστή.

Niki is working on the computer.

Ο Πέτρος μιλάει με τον Αλέξανδρο. (ΝΟΤ: Ο Πέτρος μιλάει με ο Αλέξανδρος)

Petros is speaking with Alexandros.

Αυτά τα λουλούδια είναι από τον φίλο μου. (NOT: Αυτά τα λουλούδια είναι από ο φίλος μου)

These flowers are from my boyfriend.

Αυτή η μπίρα είναι για τον Ιάσωνα. (NOT: Αυτή η μπίρα είναι για ο Ιάσωνας)

This beer is for Iasona.

 

• In order to indicate the direct object of the verb. The direct object is found when we ask the question what or whom:

Ο Νίκος πληρώνει τον λογαριασμό. Nikos is paying the bill.

Τί πληρώνει ο Νίκος; What is Nikos paying? Τον λογαριασμό. The bill. The noun the bill is in the accusative case.

Η Άννα είδε τον καθηγητή της. Anna saw her teacher.

Ποιον είδε η Άννα; Whom did Anna see? Τον καθηγητή της. Her teacher. The noun teacher is in the accusative case.

 

Declination

Ενικός Singular

Ονομ.	ο φίλος	ο άντρας	ο φοιτητής
Αιτ.	τον φίλο	τον άντρα	τον φοιτητή
Ονομ.	ο άνθρωπος
Αιτ.	τον άνθρωπο

 

 

Πληθυντικός Plural

Ονομ.	οι φίλοι	οι άντρες	οι φοιτητές
Αιτ.	τους φίλους	τους άντρες	τους φοιτητές
Ονομ.	οι άνθρωποι
Αιτ.	τους ανθρώπους

 

Exercise

Translate the sentences in Greek.

1) Do you want the bill?

2) Maria is buying the computer.

3) We are going to the doctor.

4) They are talking to their friends.

5) She is home with her husband.

6) Pavlos is helping the tourists.

 

You can check your answers here: translation_accusative