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Tag Archives: Greek grammar

Back to the future! Greek irregular verbs you must know Posted by on Sep 17, 2014

A few months ago I posted a list of common irregular verbs in the Past Simple tense (Αόριστος, aoristos). The same verbs have an irregular form in the Simple Future tense (Στιγμιαίος Μέλλοντας, (stigmiaios melontas):   Ενεστώτας(Enestotas) Present Transliteration Definition Μέλλοντας(Melontas) Future Simple Transliteration είμαι ime to be θα είμαι tha eimai έχω eho to…

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How to be polite in Greek Posted by on Sep 9, 2014

One of the first topics Greek students have to learn is the use of the polite form. It is a relatively “new” element, as it did not exist in ancient Greek, and has its origins in French. It is formed by the second plural person. E.g.  «Τι κάνετε κύριε Δήμου;» (Tee kanete  keerie Demou?) How…

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Reflexive pronouns in Modern Greek Posted by on Jul 16, 2014

If you have already come accross the  reflexive pronouns (αυτοπαθείς αντωνυμίες, aftopathees antonimies), this means that you are at an intemediate level. Well done! You can take a look at this article if you’re in the mood for a quick review. The reflexive  pronouns are formed by the noun  «εαυτός» (eaftos) which means “self” and…

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Feminine nouns ending in – ος Posted by on May 13, 2014

Summer is on its way and my mind is travelling to the Greek islands. Before taking the ferry though, let’s  do some grammar. Some of the islands names end in –ος: Μύκονος (Mykonos), Ρόδος (Rodos, Rhodes), Ζάκυνθος (Zakynthos) etc. The nouns ending in –ος give Greek learners a hard time. When they find in…

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Use of the conjunction “na” Posted by on Apr 21, 2014

The right use of the conjunctions ότι, πως, να (oti, pos, na) which mean “that” and “to”)  is not always clear and  Greek learners often misuse them (ελπίζω που instead of ελπίζω να etc.). Verbs that express desire, wish, necessity, exhortation, possibility and prohibition are followed by the conjunction να (na, to) and a verb in…

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

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…

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Passive Voice in Modern Greek (Indicative Mood) Posted by on Dec 9, 2013

The Passive Voice is not as commonly used in Greek as it is in other languages. It is used when it is important to emphasize on the action done, or when it is unknown who or what is doing the action. Ο λογαριασμός πληρώνεται από τον ιδιοκτήτη. O logariasmos plironetai apo ton idioktiti. The bill…

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