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How to express assumptions in Greek Posted by on Nov 8, 2017 in Vocabulary

 

Γεια σας! In this post there are verbs and phrases we use in order to make assumptions. I got the idea from my student Gus. K.,  after we saw the verb “υποθέτω» (to assume) in a crossword puzzle.  Below, there are the most common phrases with examples of their use.  If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment.

 

Image via Pixabay

 

#1. υποθέτω= to assume, to suppose

“Ποιο από τα δύο λες να είναι το σπίτι του;” “Υποθέτω, αυτό. Ταιριάζει με την περιγραφή.”

“Which one is the house, do you think?” “This one, I assume. It matches the description.”

Καλέσαμε είκοσι άτομα το Σάββατο. Τα δέκα είπαν ότι δεν μπορέσουν να έρθουν. Υποθέτω ότι τα άλλα θα έρθουν.

We invited twenty people on Saturday. Ten people said they will not be able to come. I assume that the rest will come.

 

#2. φαντάζομαι= to imagine, to suppose

“Μήπως ξέρετε πότε θα έρθει ο γιατρός;” “Σε λίγο, φαντάζομαι. Είναι πάντα εδώ στις 5.”

“Do you know when the doctor will come?” “Soon, I suppose. He is always here at 5.”

Φαντάζομαι ότι όλοι μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε το κείμενο.

I suppose that you are all able to translate the text.

 

#3. μάλλον= probably (indirect assumption)

Μάλλον δεν θα φύγει αφού δεν έφυγε ως τώρα.

He probably won’t go since he hasn’t until now.

Ο Πέτρος και η Μήνα μάλλον είναι ζευγάρι. Τους  βλέπω συνέχεια μαζί.

Petros and Mina are probably together (a couple). I see them together all the time.

 

#4. ίσως= maybe (indirect assumption)

“Η Στέλλα δεν είναι στο σπίτι της.” “Ίσως είναι στη δουλειά.Την Τετάρτη δουλεύει βράδυ.”

“Stella is not at home.” “Maybe she is at work. On Wednesday she works in the evening.”

Ο Νάσος δεν ήταν στο τρένο. Ίσως έρθει με το επόμενο.

Nasos was not in the train. Maybe he will come with the next one.

 

#5. ενδεχομένως= possibly, probably

Η κατάστασή μου δεν είναι σοβαρή αλλά θα μου αλλάξουν τα φάρμακα,ενδεχομένως.

My condition is not serious but they will probably change my medicine.

“Πότε θα πληρωθούμε;” “Σε τρεις μέρες, ενδεχομένως.”

“When will we get paid?”” Probably, in three days.”

 

#6. μπορεί να= maybe / might (indirect assumption)

“Έχω θυμώσει πολύ με τον Αντώνη. Δεν ήρθε στο ραντεβού. Του τηλεφώνησα αλλά το κινητό του ήταν κλειστό.” “Μπορεί  κάτι να του έτυχε.”

“I am very angry with Antonis. He didn’t come to the appointment. I called him but his cell phone was off.” “Maybe something happened to him.”

“Τα παιδιά λένε ότι δεν έφαγαν το ψάρι που ήταν στο τραπέζι. Ποιος το έφαγε λοιπόν;” “Μπορεί να το έφαγε η γάτα.”

“The children say that they didn’t eat the fish that was on the table. Who ate it then?” “Maybe the cat ate it.”

 

#7. πρέπει να= (he/she etc) must be

“Αυτή η ξανθιά κοπέλα πρέπει να είναι η κόρη του Ιάσωνα.” “Ναι, του μοιάζει πολύ.”

“This blonde girl is probably Jason’s daughter.” ” Yes, she resembles him very much.”

Δε νιώθω καλά. Πρέπει να έχω πυρετο.

I don’t feel well. I must have fever.

 

#8. θα+ ρήμα  (verb)= (he, she, etc) must

«Γιατί δεν ανάβουν τα φώτα;» «Θα κάηκε η λάμπα.»

“Why the lights are not working?” “The bulb must have been burned out.”

«Γιατί δεν ήρθε η Νίκη στο σχολείο;» «Θα είναι άρρωστη.»

“Why didn’t Niki come to school?” “She must be ill.”

 

Image via Pixabay

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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.


Comments:

  1. Helene:

    I learned a lot today!