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Use of the Greek verb “to speak” Posted by on Feb 10, 2019 in Vocabulary

Γεια σας! This post is about the uses of the verb μιλάω, which means “to speak”. In some contexts, it means “to say”. Some examples are translated literally.

 

aitoff via Pixabay

 

Μιλάω is followed by:

 

#1. με (with)

Examples:

  • Μιλήσαμε με την γιατρό μας. / We spoke with our doctor.
  • Πρέπει να μιλάς πιο συχνά με τους γονείς σου. / You should speak (talk) more often with your parents.

 

#2. σε (to)

 

Examples:

  • Δεν μίλησα ακόμα στην Άντζελα. / I didn’t speak (talk) to Angela yet.
  • Να μιλάμε στον ενικό; Ενικός is the singular. If we speak with someone we don’t know well, we speak in a formal way using «εσείς», «σας» (you, plural) and verbs in the second plural person. If we want to be informal, we can suggest speaking using the second singular person.
  • Μιλήσαμε σε έναν δημοσιογράφο. / We spoke to a journalist.

 

#3. για (about)

 

Examples:

  • Δεν μιλάει ποτέ για τα προβλήματά του. / He never speaks about his problems.
  • Θα τον συναντήσω αύριο και θα μιλήσουμε για τη δουλειά. / I will meet him tomorrow and we will talk about the job.

 

#4. an adverb

 

Examples:

  • Ο μανάβης έχει πάντα κέφια και μιλάει πολύ. / The greengrocer is always in a good mood and talks a lot.
  • Πρέπει να μιλάς όμορφα στη γυναίκα σου. / You should speak nicely to your wife.
  • Μη μιλάς τόσο γρήγορα! Δεν σε καταλαβαίνουν! / Don’t speak so fast! They don’t understand you!

 

#5. a language

 

Examples:

  • Μιλάτε ελληνικά; / Do you speak Greek?
  • Ο Φίλιππος μιλάει αγγλικά, ρώσικα και ολλανδικά. / Philip speaks English, Russian and Dutch.

 

#6. από (from)

 

Examples:

  • Σας μιλάω από προσωπική πείρα. / (Literally) I am speaking to you by personal experience.
  • Με ακούς; Σου μιλάω από μια παλιά συσκευή. / (Literally) Do you hear me? I am speaking to you from an old device . (Συσκευή means phone in this context ).

 

#7. χωρίς (without)

 

Examples:

  • Ο Γιώργος μίλησε χωρίς περιστροφές. / Yorgos spoke straightforwardly.
  • Οι άνθρωποι μίλησαν χωρίς φόβο. / The people spoke with no fear.

alles via Pixabay

 

Do not use the verb μιλάω before:

 

#1. a noun

 

Example:

Η Νίνα μιλάει την αλήθεια. This means “Nina speaks the truth” and it is not right in Greek.

Correct phrase: Η Νίνα λέει την αλήθεια. / Nina is telling the truth.

 

#2. να (to)

 

Example:

Η Ναταλία μίλησε να πάει στο σπίτι.

Correct phrase: Η Ναταλία είπε ότι θα πάει στο σπίτι. / Natalia said she would go home.

 

 

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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.