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Use of Greek: to pass Posted by on Jun 6, 2018 in Vocabulary

Verbs give people a hard time but not only because of their grammatical characteristics. In Greek, as in many languages, a verb has more than one significations and can be used in different contexts. In this post, there are some sentences with the verb περνάω,which means “to pass”. It is one of the most common verbs that we use every day and has several meanings.

 

By htomek via Pixabay

#1.Κανείς δεν καταλαβαίνει τι περνάω.

Nobody understands what I’m going through.

#2.Μετά το θάνατο των γονιών τους περνάνε πολύ δύσκολα.

After their parents’ death, they have a difficult time.

#3.”Πώς περάσατε στις διακοπές;” “Έτσι κι έτσι. Τα παιδιά αρρώστησαν.”

“How were your holidays? (lit: how did you pass during the holidays) “So so. The kids got sick.”

#4.Ο Θωμάς πέρασε με κόκκινο και παραλίγο να χτυπήσει έναν πεζό.

Thomas ran a red light and almost hit a pedestrian.

#5. Δεν θέλω τα παιδιά να περνούν μόνα τους τον δρόμο. Δεν υπάρχει φανάρι και είναι επικίνδυνο.

I don’t want the kids to cross the street by themselves. There’s no traffic light and it’s dangerous.

#6.Πέρασες τις εξετάσεις;

Did you pass the exams?

#7.”Ποιος είναι μεγαλύτερος, ο Λουκάς ή η Νίνα;” “Ο Λουκάς. Περνάει τη Νίνα έναν χρόνο.”

“Who is older, Lukas or Nina?” “Lukas. He’s one year older than Nina.”

#8.”Έχετε περάσει παιδικές αρρώστιες;” “Ναι, ερυθρά και ανεμοβλογιά.”

“Did you have children diseases?” (have you suffered by children diseases?) “Yes, rubella and chickenpox.”

#9. Τελικά δεν πέρασαν τον νόμο γιατί οι βουλευτές δεν συμφωνούσαν.

Finally, they didn’t pass the law because the deputies did not agree.

#10. Μπορεί να την περνάτε για χαζή αλλά ξέρει πολύ καλά τι κάνετε πίσω από την πλάτη της.

You might think she’s stupid but she knows very well what you do behind her back.

#11. Αν και είναι η πιο μικρή, περνάει τα αδέρφια της στο κολύμπι.

Although she’s the youngest, she beats her brothers and sisters at swimming.

#.12 Α: Παρακαλώ.  / Hello.

Β:  Γεια σου Μανόλη, τι κάνεις; Είναι εκεί ο πατέρας σου; / Hello Manoli, how are you? Is your father in?

Α: Γεια σας, κυρία Σοφία, δεν είμαι ο Μανόλης, είμαι ο Αντρέας. / Hello Mrs Sophia, this is not Manolis, this is Andreas.

Β: Α, γεια σου Αντρέα μου! Σε πέρασα για τον αδερφό σου! / Oh, hello Andrea! I took you for your brother!

 

By suju 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. Simon:

    Thanks – good topic. There is nothing quite like περνάω in English. Pass is the closest to it but doesn’t convey all the meanings of the Greek word.