Modern Greek Grammar

Konstantinos Athanasiou

Read the Greek words below and guess their meaning:

αΑ λΝ
αλαινγία, αξρηηέθηνλαο, αλάιπζε λαξθσηηθόο, λαπηηθόο

βΒ μΞ
βηνγξαθία, βηνινγία, βελδίλε μπιόθσλν, μελνθνβία

γΓ νΟ
γεσγξαθία, γεσκεηξία, γεσινγία, γξάθσ όαζε, νιηγαξρία, νξζόδνμνο

δΓ πΠ
δηπισκαηία, δεκνθξαηία, δίιιεκα πίηζα, παξάγξαθνο, παξάκεηξνο, παζνιόγνο

εΔ ξΡ
έκθαζε, εγσηζηήο, ειέθαληαο ξάδην, ξνπιέηα, ξπζκόο

δΕ ζ΢
δέβξα, δσνινγία, δών ζαξθαζηηθόο, Σάββαην, ζαιάηα

εΖ ηΣ
ειεθηξηζκόο, ήιηνο ηξέλν, ηνπξηζκόο, ηνπνγξαθία

ζΘ υΤ
ζεσξία, ζέκα, ζέαηξν, ζεξαπεία, ζεξκόκεηξν ππόζεζε, ππνθξηζία, πζηεξηθόο

ηΗ θΦ
ηδέα, ηζηνξία θαηλόκελν, θσηνγξαθία, θηινζνθία

θΚ χΥ
θξίζε, θόζκνο, θνζκνπνιίηηθνο, θξηηήξην ράνο, ραξαθηήξαο, ράξηζκα

ιΛ ψΦ
ιεκόλη, ιίζηα, ιεμηθό ςπρνινγία, ςπρή, ςεπδώλπκν

κΜ ωΧ
κέηξν, κύζνο, κπζηήξην, κεηξόπνιε σθεαλόο, ώξα

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Konstantinos Athanasiou

5. The cases / Οι πτώσεις

In a higly inflected language as Greek the role of the words in the sentence is not indicated by their position but
by their cases.

Cases are the different forms Greek words as articles, nouns, adjectives, pronouns, participles can have. The
form of the words changes at the ending, the first part of the words, the so-called stem, does not change.

Modern Greek has four cases:

st
1 : the nominative
nd
2 : the genitive
rd th
3 : the accusative (in ancient Greek 4 )
th th
4 : the vocative (case of direct address, in ancient Greek 5 )

The nominative
The nominative indicates:
1. the subject in the sentence
Η Ελένη αγοράζει μήλα. Helen buys apples.

2. the predicate in the sentence as well, when linking verbs are used:
Ο Νίκος είναι καλός μαθητής. Nikos is a good pupil.

The genitive
The genitive indicates:
1. Possesion
Το αυτοκίνητο του Νίκου. Niko’s car.
Το ποδήλατο της Μαρίας. Maria’s bicycle.

2. The subject (The genitive with nouns related to verbs may indicate the subject of the action. If these
nouns convert to verbs, the word in genitive will become the subject of the sentence.)
Η νίκη των Σπαρτιατών. Οι Σπαρτιάτες νίκησαν. The victory of the Spartans. (The Spartans won.)

3. The object (The genitive with nouns related to verbs may indicate the direct object of the action. If
these nouns convert to verbs, the word in genitive will become the direct object of the sentence.)
Είναι οι φρουροί της χώρας. Φρουρούν τη χώρα. They are the guardians of the country. (They guard
the country)

4. The indirect object in the sentence, mostly persons or personal pronouns (or with certain verbs the
direct object, e.g. τηλεφωνώ(phone), μοιάζω (look like))
Η γιαγιά δίνει της Μαρίας ένα δαχτυλίδι. Grandmother gives Maria a ring.
Του δίνω ένα βιβλίο. I give him a book.
Της δίνω καφέ. I offer her coffee.
Της τηλεφώνησα. I phoned her.
Μοιάζει του πατέρα του. He looks like his father.

5. Age, date, time

Είμαι 23 (είκοσι τριών) χρονών. I am 23 years old.
Τα γενέθλια μου είναι στις 15 Μαρτίου. My birthday is on the 15th of March.
Στα μέσα της εβδομάδας. In the middle of the week.

6. Cause
Η λύπη του αποχωρισμού. The sorrow of the farewell.

7. Purpose, use
Ταξίδι αναψυχής. Leisure trip.
Παπούτσια ορειβασίας. Climbing shoes.

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 Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou

8. Characteristic
Άνθρωπος των γραμμάτων. A literate person.

9. Quantity
Αγόρασε μία γαλοπούλα τεσσάρων κιλών. He/She bought a four kilos turkey.
Έχει άδεια τριών μηνών. He/She has a three months leave.

10. Origin
Καπνιστό τυρί Μετσόβου. Smoked cheese from Metsovo.

11. Familial relationship

Ο αδελφός της Μαρίας. Maria’s brother.

12. Place
Η μάχη του Μαραθώνα. The battle of Marathon.

The accusative
The accusative
1. indicates the direct object in the sentence:
Ο Νίκος γνωρίζει τον Κώστα. Nikos knows Kosta.
Ο Κώστας γνωρίζει την Ελένη. Kostas knows Helen.

2. is used after a preposition:

με το Νίκο with …
από την Ελένη from …
για τον Κώστα for …
στον Ανδρέα to …
στην Άννα to …

3. may indicate time:

Πότε θα πας στη Μαρία; When wil you go to Maria?
Τη Δευτέρα. On Monday.

The vocative
The vocative is used to address somebody:
Κώστα!
Νίκο!
Ελένη!

Γιατρέ!
Κυρίες και κύριοι!
Παιδιά!

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 Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou

6. The article / Το άπθπο

The Greek article is a little declinable word which has three genders: masculine, feminine and neuter.
There is a definite and an indefinite article which both agree in gender, number and case with the noun
they refer to. The accusative singular masculine and feminine of the definite article and the accusative
masculine of the indefinite article are used with the letter (ν) when the following word starts with a
vowel or the (combination) consonants κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ, γκ, μπ, ντ .

6.1 The definite article / Οπιστικό άπθπο

Singular
Case Masculine Feminine Neuter
nom ο η ηο
gen ηοσ ηης ηοσ
acc ηο (ν) ηη (ν) ηο
voc - - -

Plural
Case Masculine Feminine Neuter
nom οι οι ηα
gen ηων ηων ηων
acc ηοσς ηις ηα
voc - - -
The definite article is used:
- when the speaker refers to a person, animal or object which is known or has been previously
introduced, for example:
Διαβάζω το βιβλίο ποσ μοσ έδωζες. – I am reading the book you gave me.
- when the speaker speaks generally and refers to a group of similar things or a whole species,
for example:
Το λιονηάρι είναι ο βαζιλιάς ηων ζώων. – The lion is the king of the animals.

Notice that proper nouns in Greek are always preceded by a definite article.

6.2 The indefinite article / Αόπιστο άπθπο

Singular
Case Masculine Feminine Neuter
nom ένας μια ένα
gen ενός μιας ενός
acc ένα (ν) μια ένα
voc - - -
The indefinite article is used when the speaker refers to a person, animal or object which is indefinite
and unknown or is introduced for the first time, for example: Είδα μια αρκούδα ζηο βοσνό. – I saw a
bear on the mountain.
Notice that the indefinite article has no plural form, indefinite pronouns can be used instead.

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 Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou

7. Nouns / Ουσιαστικά
Nouns in Greek are declinable words and may be classified as masculine, feminine or neuter. Although the
determination of the grammatical gender of the Greek words is often arbitrary, the following rules may be
applied with the necessary caution: Names of male persons and male animals are masculine. Names of female
persons and female animals are feminine. Names of objects are usually neuter. However, notice that in some
cases names of persons and animals may be neuter as well and that names of visible and not-visible objects
may also be either masculine or feminine. Nouns usually belong to one gender but in some cases to two,
masculine and feminine, when for example they refer to professions: ο δικηγόρος, η δικηγόρος (the lawyer).

Gender may be determined by the article preceding the nouns or by the ending of the nouns in the nominative
singular. For example all masculine nouns end in -ς (however notice that nouns ending in -ς are not per
definition masculine, for example: η οδός (the street) is feminine, το κράτος (the state) is neuter), most
feminine nouns end in -α, -η, most neuter nouns in -ι, -ο.

Declension
Nouns in principle decline in all four cases in the singular and plural number as well. They usually retain the
same number of syllables in the plural as in the singular number. However, there are nouns whose plural is
formed with an additional syllable. These nouns are called imparisyllables “ανισοσύλλαβα”. The stress mark
usually remains in the same position as in the nominative singular.

Nouns imported from other languages do not decline at all, for example: το μετρό, το ταξί, το ρεκόρ.

Greek nouns of each gender can be divided into groups according to their endings. Nouns of a certain group
with the same ending decline the same way.

The following tables exemplify the groups of the three genders. One noun of every group is being
representatively declined and as said above other nouns belonging to the same group decline the same way.
Any details and exceptions with the stress mark and the endings will be given under the tables.

7.1 Masculine nouns

-ας, -ες ο αγώνας (the contest, game)
Case Singular Plural
nom ο αγώνας οι αγώνες
gen του αγώνα των αγώνων
acc τον αγώνα τους αγώνες
voc - αγώνα - αγώνες
1. Two-syllable nouns ending in -ας and those ending in -ίας and -ίστας bear the stress mark on the last
syllable in the genitive plural, for example: ο άντρας – των αντρών (the man), ο επιχειρηματίας – των
επιχειρηματιών (the businessman), ο τουρίστας – των τουριστών (the tourist)
2. Nouns ending in -ας, which are stressed on the third-to-last (third from the end) syllable in the
nominative singular, bear the stress mark on the second-to-last (second from the end) syllable in the
genitive plural, for example: ο γείτονας – των γειτόνων (the neighbor)

-ης, -ες ο μαθητής (the pupil)

Case Singular Plural
nom ο μαθητής οι μαθητές
gen του μαθητή των μαθητών
acc το μαθητή τους μαθητές
voc - μαθητή - μαθητές
Nouns ending in -ης, which are stressed on the second-to-last syllable in the nominative singular, bear the
stress mark on the last syllable in the genitive plural, for example: ο ναύτης – των ναυτών (the sailor)

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Konstantinos Athanasiou

-ος, -οι ο δρόμος (the street, the way)

Case Singular Plural
nom ο δρόμος οι δρόμοι
gen του δρόμου των δρόμων
acc το δρόμο τους δρόμους
voc - δρόμε - δρόμοι
1. Proper names, which are stressed on the second-to-last syllable in the nominative singular as Αλέκος,
Γιώργος, Πέτρος, Σπύρος etc, form the vocative with -ο, for example: Αλέκο, Γιώργο, Πέτρο, Σπύρο
etc. Notice that proper name Παύλος can either have -ε or -ο: Παύλο, Παύλε.
2. Three-syllable nouns ending in -ος, which are stressed on the third-to-last syllable in the nominative
singular, usually bear the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable in the genitive singular and the
genitive and accusative plural, for example: ο άνθρωπος – του ανθρώπου, των ανθρώπων, τους
ανθρώπους. However, this rule does not apply to nouns with more than three syllables, for example: ο
ρινόκερος – του ρινόκερου, των ρινόκερων, τους ρινόκερους.

-ας, -άδες (impar.) ο παπάς (the priest)

Case Singular Plural
nom ο παπάς οι παπάδες
gen του παπά των παπάδων
acc τον παπά τους παπάδες
voc - παπά - παπάδες
The nouns of this group bear the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable in all cases plurale. Attention:
αέρας - αέρηδες

-ης, -ηδες (impar.) ο μανάβης (de greengrocer)

Case Singular Plural
nom ο μανάβης οι μανάβηδες
gen του μανάβη των μανάβηδων
acc το μανάβη τους μανάβηδες
voc - μανάβη - μανάβηδες
The nouns of this group bear the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable in all cases plural.

-ες, -έδες / -ούς, -ούδες ο καφές (the coffie)

(impar.) ο παππούς (the grandfather)
Case Singular Plural
nom ο καφές παππούς οι καφέδες παππούδες
gen του καφέ παππού των καφέδων παππούδων
acc τον καφέ παππού τους καφέδες παππούδες
voc - καφέ παππού - καφέδες παππούδες
The nouns of this group bear the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable in all cases plural.

7.1.1. Masculine nouns with an exceptional declension

-έας, -εις ο γονέας (the parent)
Case Singular Plural
nom ο γονέας οι γονείς
gen του γονέα των γονέων
acc το γονέα τους γονείς
voc - γονέα - γονείς
Attention: ο/η γραμματέας (του γραμματέα genitive singular feminine:της γραμματέως, το/τη γραμματέα /
οι γραμματείς, των γραμματέων, τους/τις γραμματείς)

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Attention: There are more masculine nouns with an exceptional declension. See some of them below:
ο διδάσκων (του διδάσκοντος, το διδάσκοντα / οι διδάσκοντες, των διδασκόντων, τους διδάσκοντες)
ο ιχθύς (του ιχθύος, τον ιχθύ / οι ιχθύες, των ιχθύων, τους ιχθύς)
ο μυς (του μυός, το μυ / οι μύες, των μυών, τους μυς)
ο νους (του νου, το νου / (plural in formal language) οι νόες, των νόων, τους νόες)
ο πρέσβης (του πρέσβεως, τον πρέσβη / οι πρέσβεις, των πρέσβεων, τους πρέσβεις)
ο πένης (του πένητος, τον πένητα / οι πένητες, των πενήτων, τους πένητες)
ο πλους (του πλου, τον πλου / οι πλόες, των πλόων, τους πλόες)
ο ρους (του ρου, το ρου / no plural)
ο/η φυγάς (του φυγάδος/φυγάδα genitive singular feminine: της φυγάδος, το/τη φυγάδα / οι φυγάδες, των
φυγάδων, τους/τις φυγάδες)

Notice that some masculine nouns form the plural in a neuter gender form. Some others form the plural in a
masculine gender form and in a neuter gender form as well. In some cases there is a difference in meaning
between the masculine and the neuter gender form. See some examples below:
ο πλούτος – τα πλούτη (no genitive plural)
ο σανός – τα σανά (plural is seldom used)

ο βράχος - οι βράχοι/τα βράχια

ο δεσμός - οι δεσμοί/τα δεσμά
ο καπνός - οι καπνοί/τα καπνά (the tobacoo plant)
ο λόγος - οι λόγοι/τα λόγια
ο χρόνος - οι χρόνοι/τα χρόνια

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Konstantinos Athanasiou

7.2 Feminine nouns

-α, -ες η θάλασσα (the see)
Case Singular Plural
nom η θάλασσα οι θάλασσες
gen της θάλασσας των θαλασσών
acc τη θάλασσα τις θάλασσες
voc - θάλασσα - θάλασσες
The nouns of this group bear the stress mark on the last syllable in the genitive plural, for example: η θάλασσα
– των θαλασσών (the see), η ώρα – των ωρών (the time), η καρδιά – των καρδιών (the hart).

-η, -ες η ψυχή (the soul)

Case Singular Plural
nom η ψυχή οι ψυχές
gen της ψυχής των ψυχών
acc την ψυχή τις ψυχές
voc - ψυχή - ψυχές
The nouns of this group bear the stress mark on the last syllable in the genitive plural, for example: η νίκη – των
νικών (the victory). However, a large number of nouns ending in -η, which are stressed on the second-to-last
syllable in the nominative singular, do not form the genitive plural. All nouns ending in -η, which are stressed
on the third-to-last syllable in the nominative singular, do not form the genitive plural, for example: η ζάχαρη -
no genitive plural

-η, -εις archaic declension η θέση (the position)

(πόλη, δύναμη, -ση, -ξη, -ψη)
Case Singular Plural
nom η θέση οι θέσεις
gen της θέσης/θέσεως των θέσεων
acc τη θέση τις θέσεις
voc - θέση - θέσεις
Archaic nouns ending in -η, which are stressed on the third-to-last syllable in the nominative singular, bear the
stress mark on the second-to-last syllable in all cases plural but the genitive case. The genitive plural bears the
stress mark on the third-to-last syllable, for example: η δύναμη – οι δυνάμεις, των δυνάμεων, τις δυνάμεις, -
δυνάμεις (the power)

-ος, -οι archaic declension η οδός (the street)

Case Singular Plural
nom η οδός οι οδοί
gen της οδού των οδών
acc την οδό τις οδούς
voc - οδό (seldom) - οδοί (seldom)
Archaic nouns ending in -ος, which are stressed on the third-to-last syllable in the nominative singular, bear the
stress mark on the second-to-last syllable in the genitive singular and the genitive and accusative plural, for
example: η διάμετρος – της διαμέτρου, των διαμέτρων, τις διαμέτρους ( the diameter).

-α, -άδες (impar.) η γιαγιά (the grandmother)

Case Singular Plural
nom η γιαγιά οι γιαγιάδες
gen της γιαγιάς των γιαγιάδων
acc τη γιαγιά τις γιαγιάδες
voc - γιαγιά - γιαγιάδες
The nouns of this group bear the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable in all cases plural.

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 Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou

-ού, -ούδες (impar.) η αλεπού (the fox)

Case Singular Plural
nom η αλεπού οι αλεπούδες
gen της αλεπούς των αλεπούδων
acc την αλεπού τις αλεπούδες
voc - αλεπού - αλεπούδες
The nouns of this group bear the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable in all cases plural.

-ω η Φρόσω (proper name)

Case Singular Plural
nom η Φρόσω -
gen της Φρόσως -
acc τη Φρόσω -
voc - Φρόσω -

Attention:
η νιότη - τα νιάτα (plural is formed in a neuter gender form)
η δεσποινίς/η δεσποινίδα (της δεσποινίδος, τη δεσποινίδα / οι δεσποινίδες, των δεσποινίδων, τις
δεσποινίδες)

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7.3 Neuter nouns

-ο, -α το βιβλίο (the book)
Case Singular Plural
nom το βιβλίο τα βιβλία
gen του βιβλίου των βιβλίων
acc το βιβλίο τα βιβλία
voc - βιβλίο - βιβλία

-ι, -ια το παιδί (the child)

Case Singular Plural
nom το παιδί τα παιδιά
gen του παιδιού των παιδιών
acc το παιδί τα παιδιά
voc - παιδί - παιδιά
The most neuter nouns ending in the vocal sound i are written with -ι. However, some nouns are written with -
υ: βράδυ, δάκρυ, δίχτυ, δόρυ, οξύ en στάχυ. Attention: βράδυ is written nevertheless with -ι in the genitive
singular and in all cases plural: βραδιού, βράδια enz. The neuter nouns δόρυ and οξύ follow an exceptional
declension pattern as you will see further.

-ος, -η το κράτος (the state)

Case Singular Plural
nom το κράτος τα κράτη
gen του κράτους των κρατών
acc το κράτος τα κράτη
voc - κράτος - κράτη
The nouns of this group bear the stress mark on the last syllable in the genitive plural.

-μα, -ματα (impar.) το γράμμα (the letter)

Case Singular Plural
nom το γράμμα τα γράμματα
gen του γράμματος των γραμμάτων
acc το γράμμα τα γράμματα
voc - γράμμα - γράμματα
The nouns of this group take an extra syllable in the genitive singular and in all cases plural. The genitive plural
bears the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable.

-σιμο (-ξίμο, -ψίμο) -σίματα το βάψιμο (the painting)

(impar.)
Case Singular Plural
nom το βάψιμο τα βαψίματα
gen του βαψίματος των βαψιμάτων
acc το βάψιμο τα βαψίματα
voc - βάψιμο - βαψίματα
The nouns of this group take an extra syllable in the genitive singular and in all cases plural. The genitive plural
bears the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable.

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 Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou

-ας, -ατα κρέας (the meat), τέρας (the monster)

-ος, -ότα γεγονός (the fact)
-ως, -ώτα καθεστώς (the regime), φως (the light)
(impar.)
Case Singular Plural
nom το κρέας γεγονός φως τα κρέατα γεγονότα φώτα
gen του κρέατος γεγονότος φωτός των κρεάτων γεγονότων φώτων
acc το κρέας γεγονός φως τα κρέατα γεγονότα φώτα
voc - κρέας γεγονός φως - κρέατα γεγονότα φώτα
These nouns take an extra syllable in the genitive singular and in all cases plural.

7.3.1 Neuter nouns with an exceptional declension

-ον, -οντα καθήκον (the duty)
-αν, -αντα σύμπαν (the space)
-εν, -εντα φωνήεν (the vowel)
(impar.)
Case Singular Plural
nom το καθήκον τα καθήκοντα
gen του καθήκοντος των καθηκόντων
acc το καθήκον τα καθήκοντα
voc - καθήκον - καθήκοντα
These nouns take an extra syllable in the genitive singular and in all cases plural. The genitive plural bears the
stress mark on the second-to-last syllable.

το οξύ, το δόρυ το οξύ (the acid), το δόρυ (the spear)

(impar.)
Case Singular Plural
nom το οξύ δόρυ τα οξέα δόρατα
gen του οξέως δόρατος των οξέων δοράτων
acc το οξύ δόρυ τα οξέα δόρατα
voc - οξύ δόρυ - οξέα δόρατα
These nouns take an extra syllable in the genitive singular and in all cases plural. The genitive plural bears the
stress mark on the second-to-last syllable.

Attention: There are more neuter nouns with an exceptional declension. See some of them below:
το ήπαρ (του ήπατος, το ήπαρ / τα ήπατα, των ηπάτων, τα ήπατα)
το μηδέν (του μηδενός, το μηδέν / no plural, in some cases the plural τα μηδενικά of the word το μηδενικό
may be used)
το πυρ (του πυρός, το πυρ / τα πυρά, των πυρών, τα πυρά)

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8. Adjectives / Επίθετα
Adjectives are declinable words which modify or attribute a property to nouns. They agree in gender, number
and case with the noun they refer to. However they may follow a different declensional pattern, for example:
ο καλός άνθρωπος the good man οι καλοί άνθρωποι the good men
η καλή γυναίκα (dif decl pat) the good woman οι καλές γυναίκες the good women
το καλό παιδί (dif decl pat) the good child τα καλά παιδιά the good children

Declension
Adjectives follow a three-fold gender distinction: masculine, feminine, neuter. They decline as nouns and can
be divided into groups according to the endings of the nominative singular. Adjectives belonging to a certain
group decline the same way. The following tables show the different groups and one adjective of each group is
being representatively declined. Any exceptions or details about the cases and the accentmark will be
mentioned under the tables.

8.1 Regular adjectives

-ος, -η, -ο καλός, -ή, -ό (good)
Case Singular Plural
nom ο καλός η καλή το καλό οι καλοί οι καλές τα καλά
gen του καλού της καλής του καλού των καλών των καλών των καλών
acc τον καλό την καλή το καλό τους καλούς τις καλές τα καλά
voc - καλέ - καλή - καλό - καλοί - καλές - καλά

-ος, -α, -ο ωραίος, -α, -ο (beautiful)

Case Singular Plural
nom ο ωραίος η ωραία το ωραίο οι ωραίοι οι ωραίες τα ωραία
gen του ωραίου της ωραίας του ωραίου των ωραίων των ωραίων των ωραίων
acc τον ωραίο την ωραία το ωραίο τους ωραίους τις ωραίες τα ωραία
voc - ωραίε - ωραία - ωραίο - ωραίοι - ωραίες - ωραία

-ός, -ιά, -ό γλυκός, -ιά, -ό (sweet)

Case Singular Plural
nom ο γλυκός η γλυκιά το γλυκό οι γλυκοί οι γλυκές τα γλυκά
gen του γλυκού της γλυκιάς του γλυκού των γλυκών των γλυκών των γλυκών
acc το γλυκό τη γλυκιά το γλυκό τους γλυκούς τις γλυκές τα γλυκά
voc - γλυκέ - γλυκιά - γλυκό - γλυκοί - γλυκές - γλυκά
The feminine plural is formed without the -ι-.

-ύς, -ιά, -ύ βαθύς, -ιά, -ύ (deep)

Case Singular Plural
nom ο βαθύς η βαθιά το βαθύ οι βαθιοί οι βαθιές τα βαθιά
gen του βαθύ της βαθιάς του βαθύ των βαθιών των βαθιών των βαθιών
acc το βαθύ τη βαθιά το βαθύ τους βαθιούς τις βαθιές τα βαθιά
voc - βαθύ - βαθιά - βαθύ - βαθιοί - βαθιές - βαθιά

-ής, -ιά, -ί σταχτής, -ιά, -ί (asgray)

Case Singular Plural
nom ο σταχτής η σταχτιά το σταχτί οι σταχτιοί οι σταχτιές τα σταχτιά
gen του σταχτή της σταχτιάς του των σταχτιών των σταχτιών των σταχτιών
σταχτιού
acc το σταχτή τη σταχτιά το σταχτί τους τις σταχτιές τα σταχτιά
σταχτιούς
voc - σταχτή - σταχτιά - σταχτί - σταχτιοί - σταχτιές - σταχτιά

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-ης,-α,-ικο ζηλιάρης, -α, -ικο (jealous)

Case Singular Plural
nom ο ζηλιάρης η ζηλιάρα το ζηλιάρικο
οι ζηλιάρηδες οι ζηλιάρες τα ζηλιάρικα
gen του ζηλιάρη της του των - των
ζηλιάρας ζηλιάρικου ζηλιάρηδων ζηλιάρικων
acc το ζηλιάρη τη ζηλιάρα το ζηλιάρικο
τους τις ζηλιάρες τα ζηλιάρικα
ζηλιάρηδες
voc - ζηλιάρη - ζηλιάρα - ζηλιάρικο - ζηλιάρηδες - ζηλιάρες - ζηλιάρικα
The masculine plural takes an extra syllable. These adjectives do not form the genitive plural of the feminine
gender.

8.2 Irregular adjectives

The following tables show adjectives with an irregular declensional pattern.
8.2.1 Adjectives with the ending -ής, -ής, -ές
-ής,-ής,-ές διεθνής, -ής, -ές (international)
Case Singular Plural
nom ο διεθνής η διεθνής το διεθνές οι διεθνείς οι διεθνείς τα διεθνή
gen του της του των διεθνών των διεθνών των διεθνών
διεθνούς διεθνούς διεθνούς
acc το διεθνή τη διεθνή το διεθνές τους διεθνείς τις διεθνείς τα διεθνή
voc - διεθνή(ς) - διεθνής - διεθνές - διεθνείς - διεθνείς - διεθνή
The adjectives ending in -ης, which are stressed in the second-to-last syllable in the nominative singular as
πλήρης (full), συνήθης (usual) etc., retain the stress on the second-to-last syllable in all cases. Attention: The
adjectives ending in -ώδης as ιδεώδης (ideal), μυστηριώδης (mysterious) etc. bear the stress mark on the last
syllable in the genitive plural, for example: ιδεώδης, ιδεώδους, ιδεώδη, ιδεώδη(ς) – ιδεώδεις, ιδεωδών,
ιδεώδεις, ιδεώδεις

Attention: Some adjectives have less common endings. See some of them below:
άκων, άκουσα, άκον
ειδοποιός, ειδοποιός, ειδοποιό
ευγνώμων, ευγνώμων, ευγνώμον
ευθύς, ευθεία, ευθύ
καβγατζής, καβγατζού, καβγατζήδικο
μέλας, μέλαινα, μέλαν
μικρούλης, μικρούλα, μικρούλι
σώφρων, σώφρων, σώφρον
υπναράς, υπναρού, υπναράδικο/υπναρούδικο
φρούδος, φρούδη, φρούδον

8.2.2 The adjective “ο πολύς, η πολλή, το πολύ” (much, many)

Singular
Case masculine feminine neuter
nom ο πολύς η πολλή το πολύ
gen του - της πολλής του -
acc τον πολύ την πολλή το πολύ
voc - - - - - -

Plural
Case masculine feminine neuter
nom οι πολλοί οι πολλές τα πολλά
gen των πολλών των πολλών των πολλών
acc τους πολλούς τις πολλές τα πολλά
voc - πολλοί - πολλές - πολλά
Attention: use one λ when -υ follows, dubble λλ in all other cases.
Do not confuse the adjective “πολύ” with the adverb “ πολύ ” which means “ very ”.

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9. The degrees of comparison / Παραθετικά επιθέτων

9.1 The positive degree is the adjective itself, no comparison is actually made:
ψηλός, ψηλή, ψηλό long κοντός, κοντή, κοντό short

9.2 The comparative degree may be formed in two ways:

1. periphrastically, by placing the adverb “ πιο ” before the adjective
ψηλός - πιο ψηλός long – longer κοντός - πιο κοντός short - shorter
ψηλή - πιο ψηλή κοντή - πιο κοντή
ψηλό - πιο ψηλό κοντό - πιο κοντό
or
2. in one word, by attaching the suffix -(ό/ώ/ύ)τερος, -(ό/ώ/ύ)τερη, -(ό/ώ/ύ)τερο to the end of the
adjective stem (notice however that this rule does not apply to all adjectives, for example to
adjectives ending in -ης, -α, -ικο.)
ψηλός - ψηλότερος long-longer κοντός - κοντύτερος short - shorter
ψηλή - ψηλότερη κοντή - κοντύτερη
ψηλό - ψηλότερο κοντό - κοντύτερο

The word “ than ” in Greek is “ από ”.

Η Ελένη είναι ψηλότερη από τη Μαρία. Helen is longer than Maria.

9.3 The superlative degree is formed by placing the definite article ( ο, η, το ) before the comparative
degree:
ο πιο ψηλός or ο ψηλότερος the longest ο πιο κοντός or ο κοντύτερος the shortest
η πιο ψηλή or η ψηλότερη η πιο κοντή or η κοντύτερη
το πιο ψηλό or το ψηλότερο το πιο κοντό or το κοντύτερο

9.4 The absolute superlative degree is formed by attaching the suffix -ότατος, -ότατη, -ότατο to the
end of the adjective stem or placing the adverb “ (πάρα) πολύ ” before the adjective:
ψηλότατος or (πάρα) πολύ ψηλός very long κοντότατος of (πάρα) πολύ κοντός very short
ψηλότατη of (πάρα) πολύ ψηλή κοντότατη of (πάρα) πολύ κοντή
ψηλότατο of (πάρα) πολύ ψηλό κοντότατο of (πάρα) πολύ κοντό

9.5 Irregular degrees of comparison

Adjectives, positive degree The comparative degree The superlative degree
απλός, -ή, -ό (simple) απλούστερος, -η, -ο απλούστατος, -η, -ο
κακός –ή –ό (bad) χειρότερος –η –ο χείριστος, -η, -ο / κάκιστος, -η, -ο
καλός –ή –ό (good) καλύτερος –η –ο άριστος –η –ο / κάλλιστος, -η, -ο
λίγος –η –ο (little) λιγότερος –η –ο ελάχιστος –η –ο
μεγάλος –η –ο (big, great, large) μεγαλύτερος –η –ο μέγιστος –η –ο
μικρός –η –ο (small, little) μικρότερος –η –ο ελάχιστος –η –ο
πολύς, πολλή, πολύ (many, much) περισσότερος –η –ο πλείστος, -η, -ο

Attention: Adjectives that show material, time, place, origin or permanent condition do not have a
comparative and superlative degree (the reason is obvious), for example
material: ξύλινος (wooden, made of wood), γυάλινος (made of glass)
time: χθεσινός (of yesterday, yesterday’s), αυριανός (of tomorrow, tomorrow’s)
place: θαλασσινός (sea), βουνίσιος (of the mountain, mountain’s)
origin: κρητικός (cretan)
permanent condition: θνητός (mortal), νεκρός (dead)

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13. Adverbs / Επιρρήμαηα

Adverbs are indeclinable words which can modify a verb, an adjective, another adverb or even a
whole sentence. They indicate place, time, manner, etc. The following tables show some examples of
adverbs:
place time manner quantity
πού; where πόηε; when πώρ; how πόζο; how much
εδώ here ηώπα now έηζι so λίγο a little
εκεί there ζήμεπα today μαζί together πολύ much
πάνω up σηερ yesterday αλλιώρ anders απκεηά enough
κάηω under αύπιο tommorow καλά good πεπίπος about
μέζα inside ποηέ never κακά bad …
έξω outside κάποηε ever ήζςσα quiet
… … …
certainty negation possibility adverbs that modify sentences
ναι yes όσι no ίζωρ perhaps εςηςσώρ fortunately, luckily
μάλιζηα yes indeed δε(ν) not πιθανόν possibly δςζηςσώρ unfortunately
αλήθεια trully, really μη(ν) not … …
… …
Many adverbs ending in -α derive from adjectives using their plural neuter form, for example ωπαίορ -
ωπαία (plural neuter) - ωπαία (adverb). Most of them express manner.

14. Prepositions / Προθέζεις

Prepositions are little indeclinable words placed before other words, mostly nouns and pronouns,
indicating together with these words place, time, manner, cause etc. The noun or pronoun placed after
a preposition is mostly used in the accusative, sometimes in the genitive and with a few ancient greek
prepositions even in the dative case (from ancient greek), for example μεηά σαπάρ (gen) – with
pleasure, εν ζςνηομία (dat) – in short. The following table show some examples of prepositions:
με with Με ηον Κώζηα. With Kostas.
από from, vanwege Από ηην Ελένη. From Helen.
για for Για ηο Νίκο. For Nikos.
ζε (ζηον, ζηην, ζηο) in, to, at Σηην πόλη. To/in the town/city.
ππορ towards Ππορ ηη θάλαζζα. Towards the see.
σωπίρ without Χωπίρ ηην Άννα. Without Anna.

15. Conjunctions / Σύνδεζμοι

Conjunctions are little indeclinable words which link words or clauses. There are two kinds of
conjunctions. The co-ordinating conjunctions (και, κι, ούηε, ή, αλλά, όμωρ ...) link words and clauses
which are on an equal footing (independent to independent, dependent to dependent). The
subordinating conjunctions (όηαν, γιαηί, αν ...) link a dependent clause to an independent one. In other
words they introduce a dependent clause which may indicate time, cause, purpose, condition etc. The
following tables show some examples of conjunctions:
(co-ord) copulative (co-ord) alternate (co-ord) contrast (subord) time
και, κι and ή or αλλά but ενώ while
ούηε neither… nor … είηε…είηε either… or όμωρ however όηαν when
… … ππιν before
…
(subord) cause/reason (subord) condition (subord) purpose
γιαηί why, because αν if/whether να to πος, πωρ, όηι that
επειδή because … για να in order to
…

Attention: “πος”, “πωρ”, “όηι” mean “that”, but “πού”, “πώρ”, “ό,ηι” mean respectively “where”,
“how”, “whatever, what, any”.

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10.1 Personal pronouns / Πποσωπικέρ αντωνςμίερ

Personal pronouns are declinable words and may be used instead of nouns or persons. The use of
personal pronouns with verbs is not obligatory as persons are indicated by the unique personal endings
of the verbs:
(εγώ) γξάθω I write
(εζύ) γξάθειρ you write

Personal pronouns may be used to add emphassis:

Εγώ ζα πάω, εσύ δελ ζα παο πνπζελά! I shall go, you will not go anywhere.

The following table shows the declension of the personal pronouns. The forms placed within brackets
are the weak forms, the other are the emphatic ones:
nom gen acc voc
Singular
1e person εγώ I εκέλα (κνπ) me εκέλα (κε) me -
2e person εζύ you εζέλα (ζνπ) you εζέλα (ζε) you εζύ
e
3 person απηόο(ηνο) he απηνύ (ηνπ) him αςτόν (τον) him -
απηή(ηε) she απηήο (ηεο) her απηή(λ)(ηε(λ)) her -
απηό(ην) it απηνύ (ηνπ) it απηό (ην) it -
Plural
1e person εκείο we εκάο (καο) us εκάο (καο) us -
2e person εζείο you εζάο (ζαο) you εζάο (ζαο) you εζείο
e
3 person απηνί(ηνη) they απηώλ (ηνπο) them απηνύο (ηνπο) them -
απηέο(ηεο) they απηώλ (ηνπο) them απηέο(ηηο, ηεο) them -
απηά(ηα) they απηώλ (ηνπο) them απηά (ηα) them -
Attention: The third person accusative of the masculine singular (αςτόν, τον) is always used with
“ν”, in order to be distincted from the third person accusative of the neuter singular (αςτό, το). The
third person accusative of the feminine singular is used with “λ” if the following word starts with a
vowel or with one of the following (combination) consonants κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ, γκ, μπ, ντ. Some weak
forms must not be confused with cases of the definite article ( ηνπ, ηεο, ηηο …) which are placed before
nouns. Personal pronouns are placed before or after verbs.

The emphatic form may be used before or after the verb, while the weak form is always used before
the verb. Attention: “ηηο” is used before and “ηεο” after the verb.
Εγώ ζα πιεξώζω. Θα πιεξώζω εγώ. I shall pay.
Με γλωξίδεη θαιά. He knows me well. Τον βιέπω. I see him. Τη βιέπω. I see her.
Αλ τιρ δεηο, θώλαμέ τερ. If you see them, call them.

However, the weak form is placed after the imperative mood or participle of the verb.
Δώζε μος, ην κνιύβη, ζε παξαθαιώ. Give me, the pencil, please.
Τξαγνπδνύζε θνηηάδνληάο τη(v) ζηα κάηηα. He was singing looking her in the eyes.
Weak and emphatic forms are often used one after the other.
Εμένα με ιέλε Ειέλε. They call me Eleni.

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10.2 Possessive pronouns / Κτητικές αντωνυμίες

Possessive pronouns are indeclinable. They have the same form as the weak forms of the personal
pronouns in genitive and they express possession.
Singular Plural
μου my μας our
σου your σας your
του his τους their
της her τους their
του its τους their

The possessive pronouns are placed after the noun or the adjective they refer to.

το βιβλίο μου my book

το βιβλίο σου your book
το βιβλίο του his book

Nouns with three or more syllables, which are stressed on the third-to-last syllable in the nominative
singular, take an additional stress mark on the last syllable, when a possessive pronoun follows.

ο δάσκαλός μου
το αυτοκίνητό του
το ποδήλατό μας

The words “ δικός, δική, δικό ” (own) is used to express possession emphatic. These words are used
before the possessive pronouns mentioned above and behave as adjectives which means that they
agree in gender, number, case with the noun they refer to.

ο δικός μου αδελφός my own brother

η δική σου αδελφή your own sister
το δικό μας βιβλίο our own book
οι δικοί μου φίλοι my own friends
το δικό σας σχολείο your own school

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10.3 Relative pronouns / Αναυορικές αντωνσμίες

Relative pronouns are used to join sentenses.
“ποσ” (that, who(m)). This indeclinable relative pronoun without stress mark is very often used and is
placed after any noun regardless of its gender, number and case. It may be used instead of “ο οποίος, η
οποία, ηο οποίο”. Attention: Do not confuse “ποσ” with the interrogative adverb “πού” which means
“where”.

Έταζα ηο βιβλίο ποσ μοσ δάνειζες. I lost the book that you lend me.

“ο οποίος, η οποία, το οποίο” (who, which). This relative pronoun is always preceded by a definite
article and agrees in gender, number and case with the noun it refers to. It follows the declensional
pattern of the adjectives ending in -ος, -α, -ο.

Έταζα το βιβλίο το οποίο μοσ δάνειζες. I lost the book which you lend me.

“όποιος, όποια, όποιο” (whoever, whichever, anyone who) en “ό,τι” (whatever, what, any). “όποιος,
όποια, όποιο” is used without article and follows the declensional pattern of the adjectives ending in -
ος, -α, -ο. “ό,ηι” is indeclinable. Attention: Do not confuse “ό,τι” with the conjunctive word “ότι”
which means “that”.
Όποιος θέλει ας ηο δοκιμάζει. Whoever wants may try it.
Πάρε ό,ηι θέλεις. Take whatever you want.

“ όσος, όση, όσο ” (as much as, as many as). This relative pronoun is used without article and it
follows the declensional pattern of adjectives ending in -ος, -η, -ο.
Πάρε όζο θέλεις. Take as much as you want.

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10.4 Demonstrative pronouns / Δεικτικές αντωνυμίες

The demonstrative pronouns are used to indicate which entity the speaker refers to. The most common
demonstrative pronouns are:
ασηός this εκείνος that ηέηοιος such ηόζος so much, so many
ασηή εκείνη ηέηοια ηόζη
ασηό εκείνο ηέηοιο ηόζο

The demonstrative pronouns follow the declensional pattern of the corresponding adjectives in -ος, -η,
-ο or -ος, -α, -ο and agree in gender, number and case with the noun they refer to.

ασηός ο κύριος this gentleman

εκείνη η κσρία that lady
εκείνο ηο βιβλίο that book
ασηά ηα παιδιά these children

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10.5 Interrogative pronouns / Ερωτηματικές αντωνσμίες

The interrogative pronouns are used in order to ask questions.
“τι” (what). This little word is indeclinable.

“ποιος, ποια, ποιο” (who, which). This interrogative pronoun follows the declensional pattern of
adjectives ending in -ος, -α, -ο. The genitive singular and plural has two forms: ποιου and ποιανού,
ποιών and ποιανών. Attention: Do not confuse “ποιο” with the adverb “πιο” which means “more”.

“τίνος” ((singular) whose). This interrogative pronoun may be used instead of the genitive singular of
“ποιος”.
“τίνων” ((plural) whose). This interrogative pronoun is seldom used.

“πόσος, πόση, πόσο” (how much, how many). This interrogative pronoun follows the declensional
pattern of adjectives ending in -ος, -η, -ο.

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10.6 Indefinite pronouns / Αόριζηες Ανηωνσμίες

Indefinite pronouns refer to one or more unspecified persons and objects.
The following table shows some of the indefinite pronouns with examples.
ένας, μία, ένα someone, somebody Ένας είπε… Somebody said…
κανένας (κανείς), καμιά (καμία), κανένα (with a positive Κανένας δεν ήρθε. Nobody came.
meaning: someone, one, anyone), (with a negative Δεν είπα τίποτα. I said nothing.
meaning: noone, nobody)
κάθε (indeclinable) every Attention: If “κανένας (κανείς),
καθένας, καθεμιά, καθένα anyone, each καμιά (καμία), κανένα” and “ηίποηα”
κάποιος, κάποια, κάποιο somebody, someone are used in a negative sentence with a
μερικοί, μερικές, μερικά some, any verb, the negative words “δε(ν)” or
κάτι (indeclinable) something, some “μη(ν)” have to be used as well.
τίποτα (τίποτε) (indeclinable) (with a positive meaning: Notice that Greek uses double
anything, any), (with a negative meaning: nothing) negative.
άλλος, άλλη, άλλο another

Notice that κάποιος, -α, -ο, κανένας (κανείς), καμιά (καμία), κανένα and μερικοί, -ες, -α are used
without article, while άλλος, -η, -ο, κάθε and καθένας, καθεμιά, καθένα may be used with or without
article.

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11. Numerals / Αριθμηηικά

Numerals may indicate a number, quantity, a position in a series. They may be divided into cardinal,
ordinal, multiplicative, relative and collective numerals. The following table shows the most common,
the cardinal and the ordinal numerals.
Cardinal numerals / Απόλσηα Ordinal numerals / Τακηικά
0 μηδέν
1 έναρ, μία, ένα ππώηορ –η –ο
2 δύο δεύηεπορ –η –ο
3 ηπειρ, ηπειρ, ηπία ηπίηορ –η –ο
4 ηέζζεπιρ, ηέζζεπιρ, ηέζζεπα ηέηαπηορ –η –ο
5 πένηε πέμπηορ –η –ο
6 έξι έκηορ –η –ο
7 εθηά έβδομορ –η –ο
8 οσηώ όγδοορ –η –ο
9 εννιά έναηορ –η –ο
10 δέκα δέκαηορ –η –ο
11 ένηεκα ενδέκαηορ –η –ο
12 δώδεκα δωδέκαηορ –η –ο
13 δεκαηπείρ, δεκαηπείρ, δεκαηπία δέκαηορ ηπίηορ –η –ο
… …
20 είκοζι εικοζηόρ –ή –ό
30 ηπιάνηα ηπιακοζηόρ–ή –ό
40 ζαπάνηα ηεζζαπακοζηόρ–ή –ό
50 πενήνηα πενηηκοζηόρ–ή –ό
60 εξήνηα εξηκοζηόρ–ή –ό
70 εβδομήνηα εβδομηκοζηόρ–ή –ό
80 ογδόνηα ογδοηκοζηόρ–ή –ό
90 ενενήνηα ενενηκοζηόρ–ή –ό

100 εκαηό εκαηοζηόρ–ή –ό

200 διακόζιοι –ερ –α διακοζιοζηόρ–ή –ό
300 ηπιακόζιοι –ερ –α ηπιακοζιοζηόρ–ή –ό
400 ηεηπακόζιοι –ερ –α ηεηπακοζιοζηόρ–ή –ό
500 πενηακόζιοι –ερ –α πενηακοζιοζηόρ–ή –ό
600 εξακόζιοι –ερ –α εξακοζιοζηόρ–ή –ό
700 εθηακόζιοι –ερ –α εθηακοζιοζηόρ–ή –ό
800 οσηακόζιοι –ερ –α οσηακοζιοζηόρ–ή –ό
900 εννιακόζιοι –ερ –α εννιακοζιοζηόρ–ή –ό

1000 σίλιοι –ερ –α σιλιοζηόρ–ή –ό

2000 δύο σιλιάδερ διζσιλιοζηόρ–ή –ό
…

1.000.000 ένα εκαηομμύπιο εκαηομμςπιοζηόρ–ή –ό

…
1.000.000.000 ένα διζεκαηομμύπιο διζεκαηομμςπιοζηόρ–ή –ό
The neuter form of the cardinal numbers is used for counting.
Attention: The cardinal numerals 13-19 are written in one word: δεκαηπία, … δεκαεννέα.
Numeral combinations with the adjective μιζόρ (half) are written in the ending with an -η when the
numerals ένας, μία are used and in all other cases with an -ι, for example:
ενάμιζης (masculine) μήναρ (one and a half month) ενάμιζι λεπηό (one and a half min)
μιάμιζη (feminine) ώπα (one and a half hour) δςόμιζι ώπερ (two and a half hours)
ηρειζήμιζι ώπερ/μήνερ (three and a half hours/months) but ηριάμιζι λεπηά (three and a half min)
ηεζζεριζήμιζι ώπερ/μήνερ (four and a half hours/months) but ηεζζεράμιζι λεπηά (four and a half
min)

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Telling the time: ζηη μία / ζηη μιάμιζη / from 2-12 ζηις δύο, ζηις ηρεις etc (at one o’clock / at half
past one / at two o’clock, at three o’clock etc)
Stating ages: ηριάνηα ενός / ηριών τρονών (31 / 33 years old), the declinable numerals are used in the
genitive when ages are stated, see 11.1 below for the declinable numerals.

11.1 Declension of cardinal numerals

The following cardinal numerals decline and agree in gender and case with the noun they refer to:
1
Singular
Cases Masculine Feminine Neuter
nom έναρ μία, μια ένα
gen ενόρ μιαρ ενόρ
acc ένα (ν) μία, μια ένα
3
Plural
Cases Masculine and feminine Neuter
nom ηπειρ ηπία
gen ηπιών ηπιών
acc ηπειρ ηπία
4
Plural
Cases Masculine and feminine Neuter
nom ηέζζεπιρ ηέζζεπα
gen ηεζζάπων ηεζζάπων
acc ηέζζεπιρ ηέζζεπα
Numerals combined with one of the above mentioned numerals decline the same way as well, for
example:
δεκαηπείρ 13, δεκαηέζζεπιρ 14, είκοζι έναρ 21, είκοζι ηπειρ 23, είκοζι ηέζζεπιρ 24 etc.

The numerals from “διακόζιοι, διακόζιερ, διακόζια” (200) until “σίλιοι, σίλιερ, σίλια” (1000) follow
the declensional pattern of adjectives ending in -ορ, -η, -ο in the plural number and agree in gender and
case with the noun they refer to:
Plural
Cases Masculine Feminine Neuter
nom διακόζιοι διακόζιες διακόζια
gen διακόζιων διακόζιων διακόζιων
acc διακόζιοσς διακόζιες διακόζια

The numerals δύο, δςο (2) and from πένηε (5) until εκαηό (100) do not decline except numerals
combined with the numerals one, three, four, as said above.

έναρ μαθηηήρ one pupil δύο μαθηηέρ two pupils

μία γςναίκα one woman ένα παιδί one child
ηπειρ άνθπωποι three men ηέζζεπα παιδιά four children
εννιά άνθπωποι nine men σίλιερ γςναίκερ thousand women
μία η ώπα one o’clock

11.2 Declension of ordinal numerals

All ordinal numerals follow the declensional pattern of adjectives ending in -ορ, -η, -ο and agree in
gender, number and case with the noun they refer to.

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12. Verbs / Ρήματα

Verbs are words that state something about the subject of the sentence and may express action, event,
or condition. The citation form of the Greek verb is denoted by the 1st person singular of the simple
present tense.

The Greek verb can take many different forms which may indicate five properties: person, number,
voice, tense and mood. Person is the verb form that expresses the speaker (1st person), the person
addressed (2nd person) or the person, animal or thing spoken of (3rd person). Number is the verb form
that shows the singularity or the plurality of the subject of the verb. The Greek verb has two numbers,
the singular and the plural, and three persons in each number as the English verb but unlike the
English verb the person and the number in the Greek verb are included in the ending. Each person
either in singular or in plural has a clearly distinguished ending. Therefore the use of personal
pronouns before the verbs is not obligatory in Greek. Nevertheless personal pronouns may be used for
emphatic reasons. The second person plural is also used as the polite form. The other properties of the
Greek verb will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

12.1 Active and Passive voice (morphology)

The different forms the Greek verb can take may be divided into two main groups called voices, the
active and the medio-passive voice. The active voice includes all forms of the verbs whose 1st person
singular of the simple present ends in -ω, -ώ. The medio-passive voice includes all forms of the verbs
whose 1st person singular of the simple present ends in -μαι.

The table below shows both voices with examples of verbs in the 1st person singular of the simple
present:
Active voice Medio-passive voice
(all verb forms of the verbs ending in –ω, -ώ) (all verb forms of the verbs ending in -μαι)
-ω, -ώ -μαι
γράφω write ιέγοκαη be said
αγαπώ love αγαπηέκαη get loved
δω live θοηκούκαη, θοηκάκαη sleep
θηλούκαη move

The Greek verb may be also divided into categories according to the relationship between the action
and the subject of the verb. The verb will be characterized as active when the subject of the verb
performs the action, as passive when the subject of the verb receives the action of the verb which is
performed by another subject and as medium when the subject of the verb performs and at the same
time receives the action of the verb.

Most verbs have an active and a medio-passive form, for example:

Active voice Medio-passive voice
πιέλω (wash) πιέλοκαη (wash oneself or be washed)
αγαπώ (love) αγαπηέκαη (be loved)

Notice, however, that there are verbs only in the active voice as δω (live), τρέχω (run). There are also
verbs only in the medio-passive voice, the so-called deponent verbs, which have usually an active
meaning, as έρχοκαη (come), εργάδοκαη (work), δέχοκαη (accept, receive).

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12.2 Verb conjugations

The Greek verbs can be divided into two groups according to the way they conjugate: Group A, the
group of the 1st conjugation and group B, the group of the 2nd conjugation.

Verbs ending in -ω with the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable belong to group A, the group of
the 1st conjugation. The medio-passive voice of these verbs ends in -οκαη.

Verbs ending in -ώ (of -άω) with the stress mark on the last syllable belong to the group B, the group
of the 2nd conjugation. This group is further divided into two subgroups, B1 and B2, which follow a
different conjugation pattern in the present tense. Characteristic of the B1 subgroup is the letter “α” in
the endings of the present tense and of the B2 subgroup the letters “εη”. The passive voice of the
subgroup B1 and B2 ends respectively in -ηέκαη and -ούκαη or -άκαη. Notice that some verbs ending in
-ούκαη follow the archaic conjugation pattern. The differences between the subgroups and the verbs
following the archaic conjugation will be shown below in the paragraphs where the tenses will be
discussed.

There are no rules to determine whether a verb belongs to subgroup B1 or B2, the determination is a
question of knowledge and practise. In any case in a good dictionary it is clear to see whether a verb
belongs either to the B1 or to the B2 subgroup as the ending of the second or even the third person of
the present tense of the active voice is given after the verb. The same applies for the B2 verbs of the
medio-passive voice and and the verbs with the archaic conjugation ending in -ούκαη, the second or
even the third person of the medio-passive voice is also given (see the table below). Notice that certain
verbs may belong to both subgroups and that they follow both conjugation patterns as βοεζώ (help),
τειεφωλώ (telephone), φορώ (wear) etc. .

The table below shows the verb groups:

Group A, 1st conj. Group B, 2nd conj.
-ω -ομαι B1 B2
δέλω δέλοκαη -ώ(-άς) -ιέμαι -ώ(-είς) -άμαι of -ούμαι(-άσαι) arc. conj. -ούμαι (-είσαι)
αγαπώ αγαπηέκαη κπορώ θοηκάκαη/θοηκούκαη δηεγούκαη

12.3 The tenses

Tenses are forms of the verb which show whether the action, the event or condition expressed by the
verb is placed in the past, the present or the future. Greek does not use different forms in the present,
the past, the present perfect, the past perfect and the future perfect tense in order to express continuity
as English does with the present, past, present perfect, past perfect and future perfect continuous.
However, continuity in the past and in the future may be expressed in Greek by different
morphological forms respectively the Imperfect, “Παρατατηθός” and the future continuous,
“Μέιιολτας δηαρθείας”. That being said the following tenses are used in Greek: the simple present,
the imperfect, the simple past, the future continuous, the simple future, the present perfect, the past
perfect and the future perfect. It is clear that there are less tenses in Greek than in English.

The function and the formation of the Greek tenses will be discussed in the following paragraphs. First
it will be outlined when each tense may be used and then it will be described how to form each tense
step by step. The steps may in principle apply to all regular verbs but with the necessary caution as
there are certain verbs that may follow a different formation pattern. The formation proces is being
exemplified by the use of verbs in greek which clarifies the whole process. The past tense of irregular
verbs will be given in a list.

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12.3.1 The simple present / Ενεζηώηας

The simple present generally describes an action, an event or condition that takes place in the present.
The simple present is used:
- to describe an action, an event or condition that is occurring at the moment of speaking
Τώρα διαβάδω ηελ εθεκερίδα. I am reading the newspaper now.
- to express general truths
Η γε γσρίδει γύρω από ηολ ήιηο. The earth rotates around the sun.
- to show a habit, repetition or continuity
Πεγαίνω ζηο ζτοιείο θάζε κέρα. I go to school every day.
Μένω ζηελ Ειιάδα. I live in Greece.
- to refer to an action or an event that will certainly occur in the near future
Αύρηο θεύγω γηα ηελ Ιηαιία. I am leaving for Italy tomorrow.
- to describe events taken place in the past in order to make them more vivid (historical present)
Καζώς κηιούζακε, ανοίγει ε πόρηα θαη ... . While we were talking, the door opens and … .

12.3.1.1 Formation of the simple present of the active voice

Group A, 1st conjugation
Characteristics
The personal endings of the simple present of the verbs belonging to group A are:
-ω, -εις, -ει, -οσμε, -εηε, -οσν

Formation steps
The verbs γράθω (write) en δηαβάδω (read) are used as examples:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (ommit -ω).
γράθω – γραθ- δηαβάδω – διαβαδ-

2. Place the endings

-ω, -εις, -ει, -οσμε, -εηε, -οσν
after the stem and put the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable.
γράθ-ω δηαβάδ-ω
γράθ-εις δηαβάδ-εις
γράθ-ει δηαβάδ-ει

γράθ-οσμε δηαβάδ-οσμε
γράθ-εηε δηαβάδ-εηε
γράθ-οσν δηαβάδ-οσν
Notice that the the first and the second person plural bear the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable.

You can see the personal endings of the simple present of the active voice of the 1st conjugation and
the conjugation of the verbs used above in the table below:
-ω γράθω I write δηαβάδω I read
-εις γράθεις you write δηαβάδεις you read
-ει γράθει he/she/it writes δηαβάδει he/she/it reads

-οσμε γράθοσμε we write δηαβάδοσμε we read

-εηε γράθεηε you write δηαβάδεηε you read
-οσν (ε) γράθοσν (ε) they write δηαβάδοσν (ε) they read

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Group B, 2nd conjugation

Characteristics
The personal endings of the simple present of the verbs belonging to group B are:
B1: -ώ(-άω), -άς, -ά(-άει), -άμε(-ούμε), -άηε, -άνε (-ούν)
B2: -ώ, -είς, -εί, -ούμε, -είηε, -ούν.

Formation steps
The verbs κηιώ (speak) and κπορώ (can) are used as examples:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -ω).
Β1 Β2
κηιώ – μιλ- κπορώ – μπορ-

2. Place the endings

-ώ(-άω), -άς, -ά(-άει), -άμε(-ούμε), -άηε, -άνε (-ούν)
after the stem of the B1 verbs
or the endings
-ώ, -είς, -εί, -ούμε, -είηε, -ούν
after the stem of the B2 verbs

Β1 Β2
κηιώ(-άω), κηιάς, κηιά(-άεη), … κπορώ, κπορείς, κπορεί, …

You can see the personal endings of the simple present of both subgroups of the 2nd conjugation and
the conjugation of the verbs κηιώ (speak) en κπορώ (can) in the table below:
B1 B2
-ω (-άω) κηιώ (-άω) I speak -ώ κπορώ I can
-ας κηιάς you speak -είς κπορείς you can
-α (-άει) κηιά (-άει) he/she/it speaks -εί κπορεί he/she/it can

-άμε (-ούμε) κηιάμε (-ούμε) we speak -ούμε κπορούμε we can

-άηε κηιάηε you speak -είηε κπορείηε you can
-άνε (-ούν) κηιάνε (-ούν) they speak -ούν(ε) κπορούν they can

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12.3.1.2 Formation of the simple present of the medio-passive voice

Notice that some Greek verbs in the medio-passive voice have an active meaning in English as
έρτοκαη (come), θοηκάκαη (sleep) etc. .

Group A, 1st conjugation

Characteristics
The personal endings of the simple present of the medio-passive voice of the verbs belonging to group
A are:
-ομαι, -εζαι, -εηαι, -όμαζηε, -εζηε, -ονηαι.

Formation steps
The verb ληύλοκαη (get dressed) is used as example:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -ω, -οκαη).
ληύλω – ληύλοκαη – νηύν-

2. Place after the stem the endings

-ομαι, -εζαι, -εηαι, -όμαζηε, -εζηε, -ονηαι.
ληύλ-ομαι
ληύλ-εζαι
ληύλ-εηαι

λησλ-όμαζηε
ληύλ-εζηε
ληύλ-ονηαι

You can see the personal endings of the simple present of the medio-passive voice of the 1st
conjugation and the conjugation of the verb ληύλοκαη (get dressed) in the table below:
-ομαι ληύλομαι I am (or get) dressed
-εζαι ληύλεζαι you are dressed
-εηαι ληύλεηαι he/she/it is dressed

-όμαζηε λησλόμαζηε we are dressed

-εζηε ληύλεζηε you are dressed
-ονηαι ληύλονηαι they are dressed

Group B, 2nd conjugation

Characteristics
The endings of the simple present of the medio-passive voice of verbs belonging to group B are:
B1: -ιέμαι, -ιέζαι, -ιέηαι, -ιόμαζηε, ιέζηε, -ιούνηαι
B2: -ούμαι/άμαι, -άζαι, -άηαι, -όμαζηε, -άζηε, -ούνηαι
Arch. conj.: -ούμαι, -είζαι, -είηαι, -ούμαζηε, -είζηε, -ούνηαι

Formation steps
Verbs B1 and B2
The verbs αγαπηέκαη (be loved) en θοηκούκαη / θοηκάκαη (sleep) are used as examples:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -ώ, -ηέκαη, -ούκαη, -άκαη).
Β1 Β2
αγαπώ – αγαπηέκαη – αγαπ θοηκούκαη / θοηκάκαη – θοηκ

2. Place the endings

-ιέμαι, -ιέζαι, -ιέηαι, -ιόμαζηε, ιέζηε, -ιούνηαι
after the stem of the B1 verbs
or the endings
-ούμαι/άμαι, -άζαι, -άηαι, -όμαζηε, -άζηε, -ούνηαι
after the stem of the B2 verbs

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Β1 Β2
αγαπ-ιέμαι θοηκ-ούμαι/άμαι
αγαπ-ιέζαι θοηκ-άζαι
αγαπ-ιέηαι θοηκ-άηαι
… …

You can see the personal endings of the simple present of the medio-passive voice of the 2nd
conjugation and the conjugation of the verb αγαπηέκαη (be loved), θοηκούκαη (sleep) in the table
below:
B1 B2
-ιέμαι αγαπιέμαι I am loved -ούμαι/άμαι θοηκούμαι/άμαι I sleep
-ιέζαι αγαπιέζαι you are loved -άζαι θοηκάζαι you sleep
-ιέηαι αγαπιέηαι he… -άηαι θοηκάηαι he …

-ιόμαζηε αγαπιόμαζηε we … -όμαζηε θοηκόμαζηε we …

-ιέζηε αγαπιέζηε you … -άζηε θοηκάζηε you …
-ιούνηαι αγαπιούνηαι they … -ούνηαι θοηκούνηαι they …

Verbs with archaic conjugation

Some verbs ending in -ούκαη as δηεγούκαη (narrate), αποηειούκαη (consist), κηκούκαη (imitate),
απαζτοιούκαη (busy oneself with, employ) etc. follow the archaic conjugation.

The verb δηεγούκαη (narrate) is used as example:

1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -ούκαη).
δηεγούκαη – διεγ-

2. Place after the stem the personal endings of the archaic conjugation
-ούμαι, -είζαι, -είηαι, -ούμαζηε, -είζηε, -ούνηαι
δηεγ-ούμαι
δηεγ-είζαι
δηεγ-είηαι

δηεγ-ούμαζηε
δηεγ-είζηε
δηεγ-ούνηαι

You can see the endings of the simple present of the medio-passive voice of the verbs with the archaic
conjugation and the conjugation of the verb δηεγούκαη (narrate) in the table below:
-ούμαι δηεγούμαι I narrate
-είζαι δηεγείζαι you narrate
-είηαι δηεγείηαι he …

-ούμαζηε δηεγούμαζηε we …
-είζηε δηεγείζηε you …
-ούνηαι δηεγούνηαι they …

Some seldom used verbs ending in -ώμαι follow the archaic conjugation as well, as the verb εγγσώκαη
(guarantee):
εγγσ-ώκαη, εγγσ-άζαη, εγγσ-άηαη, εγγσ-όκαζηε, εγγσ-άζηε, εγγσ-ώληαη.

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Konstantinos Athanasiou

12.3.2 The simple past / Αόξηζηνο

The simple past is used to describe an action, an event or condition that occurred in the past without
being interested in its duration. The action or the event described was completed at some point.
Duration or habit is expressed in Greek by the Imperfect tense.

Χζεο πήγα ζην πάξθν. I went to the park yesterday.

Χζεο είδα ηε Μαξία. I saw Maria yesterday.

12.3.2.1 Formation of the simple past of the active voice

Characteristics of the past tense of the active voice
The personal endings of the “Αόξηζηνο” of the active voice are: -α, -εο, -ε, -ακε, -αηε, -αλ.
The letters ζ, μ (θ+ζ), ς (π+ζ) before the endings are typical letters of the “Αόξηζηνο”. However,
there are verbs that form the “Αόξηζηνο” without these letters, as you will see below.
In the “Αόξηζηνο” the verbs are in principle stressed on the third-to-last syllable.

Group A, 1st conjugation

The augment (prefix) “ έ- ”
Two-syllable verbs take in the “Αόξηζηνο” the augment “έ-” with the stress mark on it. By taking the
augment these verbs bear the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable. The augment dissapears if the
stress mark is not to be found on the “έ-” as in the first and second person plural. When two-syllable
verbs have a preposition as a prefix, the augment is placed after the preposition and before the verb. If
the preposition ends in a vowel, then this vowel disappears. Notice that the vowel in the preposition
“πεξί” remains and that the preposition “εθ” changes into “εμ”, for example:
εηζπξάηησ (collect) - εηζέπξαμα
ελδίδσ (give way) - ελέδσζα
επηηξέπσ (allow) - επέηξεςα
ππνγξάθσ (sign) - ππέγξαςα
πεξηγξάθσ (describe) - πεξηέγξαςα
εθθξάδσ (express) – εμέθξαζα

Attention: There are verbs that do not take the augment “έ-” (see the list with the irregular verbs):
ζέισ (want) – ήζεια (Imperfect tense)
μέξσ (know) - ήμεξα
πίλσ (drink) – ήπηα
αίξσ (raise, revoke) -ήξα

Formation steps
The verbs δηαβάδσ (read) and γξάθσ (write) are used as examples:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -σ)
δηαβάδσ – δηαβαδ- γξάθσ – γξαθ-

2. Change the last letter of the present stem into ζ, μ of ς by applying the following rules: If the
stem of the present tense ends in:
a vowel or λ – ζ
θ, γ, ρ, ρλ – μ
π, β, θ, πη, θη, απ, επ – ς (exception: πέθησ-έπεζα)
η, δ, ζ, ζ, δ – ζ or μ

Notice that certain verbs (often ancient Greek verbs), whose present stem ends in -κ, -λ, -ι, -ξ,
retain these letters in the “Αόξηζηνο”, sometimes with modifications in the stem, for example
κέλσ (stay) – έκεηλα, ζθάιισ (err, make a mistake) – έζθαια (see the list with the irregular
verbs).
δηαβαδ – δηαβαζ- γξαθ – γξας-
This is the past stem of the verb.

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Konstantinos Athanasiou

3. Place the personal endings of the “Αόξηζηνο” (-α, -εο, -ε, -ακε, -αηε, -αλ) after the past stem
and put the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable. If the verb has two syllables, place the
augment “έ-” (before the past stem with the stress mark on it). Do not forget to omit the
augment in the first and second person plural.
δηάβαζ- α έ-γξας-α
δηάβαζ-εο έ-γξας-εο
δηάβαζ-ε έ-γξας-ε

δηαβάζ-ακε γξάς-ακε
δηαβάζ-αηε γξάς-αηε
δηάβαζ-αλ έ-γξας-αλ

The verbs used above are conjugated in the following table:

δηάβαζα I read (simple past) έγξαςα I wrote
δηάβαζεο you read έγξαςεο you wrote
δηάβαζε … έγξαςε …

δηαβάζακε γξάςακε
δηαβάζαηε γξάςαηε
δηάβαζαλ έγξαςαλ

Group B, 2nd conjugation

Characteristics
Verbs of the 2nd conjugation take before the endings the letters “-εζ-” or sometimes -εζ-, -αζ-, -πζ-, -
αμ-, -εμ-, -ες-. These verbs in principle do not need the augment “έ-”. Notice, however, that the verb
“δσ” (live) takes the augment (δσ - έδεζα).

Formation steps
The verbs αγαπώ (love), γειώ (laugh) and ηειεθσλώ (telephone) are used as example:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -σ)
Β1 Β2
αγαπώ – αγαπ- γειώ – γει- ηειεθσλώ – ηειεθσλ-

2. Place the letters “ -εζ- ” (or sometimes -αζ-, -εζ-, -πζ-, -αμ-, -εμ-, -ες-) after the stem. This is
the past stem of the verb.
Β1 Β2
αγαπ-εζ- γει-αζ- ηειεθσλ-εζ-

3. Place the personal endings of the “Αόξηζηνο” (-α, -εο, -ε, -ακε, -αηε, -αλ) in the end and put
the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable.
Β1 Β2
αγάπ-εζ-α γέι-αζ-α ηειεθώλ-εζ-α
αγάπ-εζ-εο γέι-αζ-εο ηειεθώλ-εζ-εο
αγάπ-εζ-ε γέι-αζ-ε ηειεθώλ-εζ-ε

αγαπ- ήζ-ακε γει-άζ-ακε ηειεθσλ-ήζ-ακε

αγαπ-ήζ-αηε γει-άζ-αηε ηειεθσλ-ήζ-αηε
αγάπ-εζ-αλ γέι-αζ-αλ ηειεθώλ-εζ-αλ

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 Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou

The verbs used above are conjugated in the following table:

B1 B2
αγάπεζα I loved γέιαζα I laughed ηειεθώλεζα I telephoned
αγάπεζεο you … γέιαζεο you ... ηειεθώλεζεο you …
αγάπεζε … γέιαζε … ηειεθώλεζε …

αγαπήζακε γειάζακε ηειεθσλήζακε

αγαπήζαηε γειάζαηε ηειεθσλήζαηε
αγάπεζαλ γέιαζαλ ηειεθώλεζαλ

12.3.2.2 Formation of the past tense of the medio-passive voice

Characteristics
The endings of the “Αόξηζηνο” of the medio-passive voice are the same as in the active voice:
-α, -εο, -ε, -ακε, -αηε, -αλ.
The verbs in the “Αόξηζηνο” of the medio-passive voice are also stressed on the third-to-last syllable.

Group A, 1st conjugation

Characteristics
The lettercombinations -ζεθ- and -ζηεθ- before the endings are typical of the “Αόξηζηνο” of the
medio-passive voice of the A verbs (the following lettercombinations as well but less often: -θηεθ-, -
ρηεθ-, -θζεθ-, -λζεθ-, -(απ)ηεθ-, -(επ)ηεθ-).

Formation steps
The verbs πιεξώλνκαη (get paid) and αγνξάδνκαη (be bought) are used as example:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -σ, -νκαη)
πιεξώλσ-πιεξώλνκαη - πιεξσλ- αγνξάδσ-αγνξάδνκαη - αγνξαδ-

2. Change the last letter of the stem of the present tense into ζ, of ζη
(or sometimes into -θη-, -ρη-, -θζ-, -λζ-, -(απ)η-, -(επ)η-), this is the past stem of the medio-
passive voice of the verb. The following rules may in principle be applied:
If the past tense of the active voice ends in:
-ζα - ζ or ζη
-μα - ρη
-ςα - θη/θζ
πιεξσλ - πιεξσζ- αγνξάδ - αγνξαζη-

3. Place the lettercombination -εθ- after the past tense stem of the medio-passive voice:
πιεξσζ-εθ- αγνξαζη-εθ-

4. Place the personal endings of the “Αόξηζηνο” (-α, -εο, -ε, -ακε, -αηε, -αλ) in the end and put
the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable.
πιεξώζ-εθ-α αγνξάζη-εθ-α
πιεξώζ-εθ-εο αγνξάζη-εθ-εο
… …

The verbs used above are conjugated in the table below:

πιεξώζεθα I was (or got) paid αγνξάζηεθα I was bought
πιεξώζεθεο you were paid αγνξάζηεθεο you were bought
πιεξώζεθε … αγνξάζηεθε …

πιεξσζήθακε αγνξαζηήθακε
πιεξσζήθαηε αγνξαζηήθαηε
πιεξώζεθαλ αγνξάζηεθαλ

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Konstantinos Athanasiou

Groep B, 2nd conjugation and verbs with the archaik conjugation

Characteristics
The lettercombination -ήζεθ- before the endings is typical of the “Αόξηζηνο” of the medio-passive
voice of the B verbs (the following lettercombinations as well but less often: -έζεθ-, -έζηεθ-, -άζηεθ-
, -άρηεθ-, -ήρηεθ-).

Formation steps
The verbs αγαπηέκαη (be loved), βαξηέκαη (be bored), θνηκάκαη (sleep) en δηεγνύκαη (narrate) are used
as example:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -ώ, -ηέκαη, -άκαη, -νύκαη)
B1 B2 Archaic conjugation
αγαπώ-αγαπηέκαη – αγαπ- θνηκάκαη (θνηκνύκαη) – θνηκ- δηεγνύκαη – δηεγ-
βαξηέκαη – βαξ-

2. Place after the present stem the lettercombination -εζ- (or one of the following
lettercombinations: -εζ-, -εζη-, -αζη-, -αρη-, -ερη-), this is the past stem of the medio-passive
voice of the verb
B1 B2 Archaic conjugation
αγαπ-εζ- βαξ-εζ- θνηκ-εζ- δηεγ-εζ-

3. Place the letters -εθ- after the past stem of the medio-passive voice
B1 B2 Archaic conjugation
αγαπ-εζ-εθ- βαξ-εζ-εθ- θνηκ-εζ-εθ- δηεγ-εζ-εθ

4. Place the personal endings of the “Αόξηζηνο” (-α, -εο, -ε, -ακε, -αηε, -αλ) in the end and put
the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable
B1 B2 Archaic conjugation
αγαπ-ήζ-εθ-α βαξ-έζ-εθ-α θνηκ-ήζ-εθ-α δηεγ-ήζ-εθ-α
αγαπ-ήζ-εθ-εο βαξ-έζ-εθ-εο θνηκ-ήζ-εθ-εο δηεγ-ήζ-εθ-εο
… ... … ...

One verb of each group is conjugated in the table below:

Β1 Β2 Archaic conjugation
αγαπήζεθα I was loved θνηκήζεθα I slept δηεγήζεθα I narrated
αγαπήζεθεο you were loved θνηκήζεθεο you slept δηεγήζεθεο you narrated
αγαπήζεθε … θνηκήζεθε … δηεγήζεθε …

αγαπεζήθακε θνηκεζήθακε δηεγεζήθακε

αγαπεζήθαηε θνηκεζήθαηε δηεγεζήθαηε
αγαπήζεθαλ θνηκήζεθαλ δηεγήζεθαλ

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 Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou

12.3.3 The Imperfect tense / Παραηαηικός

The verbs in “Παραηαηηθός” express duration and repetition in the past. The Imperfect tense stresses
the continuing nature of the action or the event taken place in the past. Therefore it is used
- to indicate a habitual action or event occurred in the past
Πέρσζη θάζε Κσρηαθή έπαηδα γθοιθ. I was playing golf every Sunday last year.

- to describe an event that took place over een extended period of time
Χηες δηάβαδε όιε κέρα. He was studying the whole day yesterday.

- to describe an action that was ongoing when something else took place
Καζώς δηάβαδε, τηύπεζε ηο ηειέθωλο. While he was studying, the telephone rang.

12.3.3.1 Formation of the Imperfect tense of the active voice

Characteristics
The personal endings of the “Παραηαηηθός” are the same as in the Past tense, the “Αόρηζηος”: -α, -ες, -
ε, -αμε, -αηε, -αν. The A verbs bear the stress mark on the third-to-last syllable while the B verbs on
the second-to-last syllable except the first and the second person plural where the stress mark is to be
found on the third-to-last syllable.

Groep A, 1st conjugation

The augment (prefix) “ έ- ”
The verbs of the 1st conjugation take an augment. The same rules apply as in the past tense, the
“Αόρηζηος”, see above the use of the augment in the Past tense.

Formation steps
The verbs δηαβάδω (read) and γράθω (write) are used as example:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -ω)
δηαβάδω – διαβαδ- γράθω – γραθ-

2. Place the personal endings (-α, -ες, -ε, -αμε, -αηε, -αν) after the present stem and put the stress
mark on the third-to-last syllable. If the verb has two syllables, place the augment “έ-” (before
the present stem with the stress mark on it). Notice that the first and the second person plural
do not take the augment.
διάβαδ-α έ-γραθ-α
διάβαδ-ες έ-γραθ-ες
διάβαδ-ε έ-γραθ-ε

διαβάδ-αμε γράθ-αμε
διαβάδ-αηε γράθ-αηε
διάβαδ-αν έ-γραθ-αν

The verbs used above are conjugated in the table below:

διάβαδα I was reading έγραθα I was writing
διάβαδες you were reading έγραθες you were writing
διάβαδε … έγραθε …

διαβάδαμε γράθ-αμε
διαβάδαηε γράθ-αηε
διάβαδαν έγραθ-αν

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Konstantinos Athanasiou

Group B, 2nd conjugation

Characteristics
The verbs of the 2nd conjugation take before the personal endings the letter combination “-οσζ-” and
bear the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable except the first and the second person plural.
Moreover these verbs do not take the augment “έ-”.

Formation steps
The verbs αγαπώ (love) and ηειεθωλώ (telephone) are used as example:
1. Find the present stem of the verb (omit -ω)
Β1 Β2
αγαπώ – αγαπ- γειώ – γελ- ηειεθωλώ – ηελεθων-

2. Place the lettercombination “-οσζ-” after the present tense stem.

Β1 Β2
αγαπ-οσζ- γει-οσζ- ηειεθωλ-οσζ-

3. Place the personal endings (-α, -ες, -ε, -αμε, -αηε, -αν) in the end and put the stress mark on
the second-to-last syllable. Notice that the first and the second person plural bear the stress
mark on the third-to-last syllable.
Β1 Β2
αγαπ-ούζ-α γελ-ούζ-α ηελεθων-ούζ-α
αγαπ-ούζ-ες γελ-ούζ-ες ηελεθων-ούζ-ες
αγαπ-ούζ-ε γελ-ούζ-ε ηελεθων-ούζ-ε

αγαπ- ούζ-αμε γελ-ούζ-αμε ηελεθων-ούζ-αμε

αγαπ-ούζ-αηε γελ-ούζ-αηε ηελεθων-ούζ-αηε
αγαπ-ούζ-αν γελ-ούζ-αν ηελεθων-ούζ-αν

4. The verbs used above are conjugated in the following table:

B1 B2
αγαπούζα I was loving γελούζα I was laughing ηελεθωνούζα I was telephoning
αγαπούζες you … γελούζες you ... ηελεθωνούζες you …
αγαπούζε γελούζε ηελεθωνούζε

αγαπούζαμε γελούζαμε ηελεθωνούζαμε

αγαπούζαηε γελούζαηε ηελεθωνούζαηε
αγαπούζαν γελούζαν ηελεθωνούζαν

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 Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou

12.3.3.2 Formation of the Imperfect tense of the medio-passive voice

Group A, 1st conjugation
Characteristics
The endings of the Imperfect tense of the medio-passive voice of the verbs belonging to group A are:
–όκοσλ, -όζοσλ, -όηαλ, -όκαζηε, -όζαζηε, -οληαλ

Formation steps
The verb πιερώλοκαη (get paid) is used as example:
1. Find the present stem (omit -ω, -οκαη)
πιερώλω-πιερώλοκαη – πλερων-

2. Place the endings after the stem -όκοσλ, -όζοσλ, -όηαλ, -όκαζηε, -όζαζηε, -οληαλ
πλερων-όμοσν
πλερων-όζοσν
πλερων-όηαν

πλερων-όμαζηε
πλερων-όζαζηε
πλερών-ονηαν

Hieronder wordt bovenstaande werkwoord vervoegd:

πλερωνόμοσν I was being (or getting) paid
πλερωνόζοσν you were being paid
πλερωνόηαν …

πλερωνόμαζηε
πλερωνόζαζηε
πλερώνονηαν

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 Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou

Group B, 2nd conjugation

Characteristics
The endings of the Imperfect tense of the medio-passive voice of the verbs belonging to group B are:
B1: -ιόμοσν, -ιόζοσν, -ιόηαν, -ιόμαζηε, -ιόζαζηε, -ιόνηαν (-ούνηαν)
B2: -όμοσν, -όζοσν, -όηαν, -όμαζηε, -όζαζηε, -όνηαν (-ούνηαν)
Arc. conj.: -ούμοσν, -ούζοσν, -ούνηαν, -ούμαζηε, -ούζαζηε, -ούνηαν

Formation steps
The verbs αγαπηέκαη (be loved), θοηκάκαη (sleep) and δηεγούκαη (narrate) are used as example:
1. Find the present stem (omit -ώ, -ηέκαη, -άκαη, -ούκαη)
B1 B2 Archaic conjugation
αγαπώ-αγαπηέκαη – αγαπ- θοηκάκαη – κοιμ- δηεγούκαη – διεγ-

2. Place the endings

-ιόμοσν, -ιόζοσν, -ιόηαν, -ιόμαζηε, -ιόζαζηε, -ιόνηαν (-ούνηαν)
after the stem of the B1 verbs,
the endings
-όμοσν, -όζοσν, -όηαν, -όμαζηε, -όζαζηε, -όνηαν (-ούνηαν)
after the stem of the B2 verbs
or the endings
-ούμοσν, -ούζοσν, -ούνηαν, -ούμαζηε, -ούζαζηε, -ούνηαν
after the stem of the archaic conjugation
B1 B2 Archaic conjugation
αγαπ-ιόμοσν κοιμ-όμοσν διεγ-ούμοσν
αγαπ-ιόζοσν κοιμ-όζοσν διεγ-ούζοσν
αγαπ-ιόηαν κοιμ-όηαν διεγ-ούνηαν

αγαπ-ιόμαζηε κοιμ-όμαζηε διεγ-ούμαζηε

αγαπ-ιόζαζηε κοιμ-όζαζηε διγε-ούζαζηε
αγαπ-ιόνηαν (-ιούνηαν) κοιμ-όνηαν (-ούνηαν) διεγ-ούνηαν

The verbs used above are conjugated in the table below:

B1 B2 Archaic conjugation
αγαπιόμοσν I was being loved κοιμόμοσν I was sleeping διεγούμοσν I was narrating
αγαπιόζοσν you ... κοιμόζοσν you … διεγούζοσν you …
αγαπιόηαν κοιμόηαν διεγούνηαν

αγαπιόμαζηε κοιμόμαζηε διεγούμαζηε

αγαπιόζαζηε κοιμόζαζηε διγεούζαζηε
αγαπιόνηαν (-ιούνηαν) κοιμόνηαν (-ούνηαν) διεγούνηαν

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 Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou

12.3.4 The simple future / Μέιιοληας ζηηγκηαίος

The simple future describes an action or event that will take place in the future without being
interested in its duration. Duration and repetition are expressed by the future continuous. The use of
the particle “ζα” before the verb characterizes both future tenses.

Αύξην ζα θηηάμω έλα θέηθ. I shall make a cake tommorow.

Θα πιεξώζω αύξην ην ινγαξηαζκό. I shall pay the bill tommorow.

12.3.4.1 Formation of the simple future of the active voice

Verbs of the 1st and the 2nd conjugation
Characterestics
The simple future of the verbs of the active voice can be formed by using: the particle “ζα”, the stem
of the past tense of the active voice and the personal endings of the present tense of the active voice.

Formation steps
The verbs δηαβάδω (read), γξάθω (write), αγαπώ (love), ηειεθωλώ (telephone) are used as examples:
1. Find the past stem of the active voice of the verb.
Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation, B1, B2
δηαβάδω - δηαβαδ- - δηαβαζ- αγαπώ - αγαπ- - αγαπεζ-
γξάθω - γξαθ- - γραψ- ηειεθωλώ - ηειεθωλ- - ηειεθωλεζ-

2. Place after the stem the personal endings of the present tense of the active voice of the verbs
of the 1st conjugation (-ω, -εης, -εη, -οσκε, -εηε, -οσλ) and put the stress mark on the second-to-
last syllable. Notice that the first and the second person plural bear the stress mark on the
third-to-last syllable.
Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation, B1, B2
δηαβάζ-ω, δηαβάζ-εηο, δηαβάζ-εη, … αγαπήζ-ω, αγαπήζ-εηο, αγαπήζ-εη, …
γξάψ-ω, γξάψ-εηο, γξάψ-εη, … ηειεθωλήζ-ω, ηειεθωλήζ-εηο, ηειεθωλήζ-εη, …

3. Place the particle “ζα” before the verb.

Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation, B1, B2
ζα δηαβάζω, ζα δηαβάζεηο, … ζα αγαπήζω, ζα αγαπήζεηο …
ζα γξάψω, ζα γξάψεηο, … ζα ηειεθωλήζω, ζα ηειεθωλήζεηο, …

In the table below one verb of each group is conjugated:

Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation, B1, B2
ζα γράψω I shall write ζα αγαπήζω I shall love
ζα γράψεης you will write ζα αγαπήζεης you will love
ζα γράψεη … ζα αγαπήζεη …

ζα γράψοσκε ζα αγαπήζοσκε
ζα γράψεηε ζα αγαπήζεηε
ζα γράψοσλ ζα αγαπήζοσλ

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 Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou

12.3.4.2 Formation of the simple future of the medio-passive voice

Verbs of the 1st and the 2nd conjugation
Characteristics
The simple future of the medio-passive voice of both groups can be formed by using: the particle “ζα”,
the past stem of the medio-passive voice and the personal endings of the present tense of the active
voice of the B2 verbs.

Formation steps
The verbs πιεξώλνκαη (be paid), αγνξάδνκαη (be bought), αγαπηέκαη (be loved), θνηκάκαη (sleep),
δηεγνύκαη (narrate) are used as examples:
1. Find the past stem of the medio-passive voice of the verb.
Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation,
B1, B2, archaic conjugation
πιεξώλνκαη-πιεξωλ-πιερωζ- αγαπηέκαη-αγαπ-αγαπεζ-
αγνξάδνκαη-αγνξαδ-αγοραζη- θνηκάκαη-θνηκ-θοηκεζ-
δηεγνύκαη-δηεγ-δηεγεζ-

2. Place after the past stem de personal endings of the present tense of the active voice of the B2
verbs (-ώ, -είς, -εί, -ούκε, -είηε, -ούλ) and put the stress mark on the last syllable. Notice that
the first and the second person plural bear the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable.
Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation,
B1, B2, archaic conjugation
πιεξωζ-ώ, πιεξωζ-είο, … αγαπεζ-ώ, αγαπεζ-είο, …
αγνξαζη-ώ, αγνξαζη-είο, … θνηκεζ-ώ, θνηκεζ-είο, …
δηεγεζ-ώ, δηεγεζ-είο, …

3. Place before the verb the particle “ζα”.

Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation,
B1, B2, archaic conjugation
ζα πιεξωζώ, ζα πιεξωζείο, … ζα αγαπεζώ, ζα αγαπεζείο, …
ζα αγνξαζηώ, ζα αγνξαζηείο, … ζα θνηκεζώ, ζα θνηκεζείο, …
ζα δηεγεζώ, ζα δηεγεζείο, …

In the table below one verb of each group is conjugated:

Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation,
B1, B2, archaic conjugation
ζα πιερωζώ I shall be paid ζα αγαπεζώ I shall be loved
ζα πιερωζείς you will be paid ζα αγαπεζείς you will be loved
ζα πιερωζεί … ζα αγαπεζεί …

ζα πιερωζούκε ζα αγαπεζούκε
ζα πιερωζείηε ζα αγαπεζείηε
ζα πιερωζούλ ζα αγαπεζούλ

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microfilm or any other means without written permission from the author Konstantinos Athanasiou.
 Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou

12.3.5 The future continuous / Μέλλονηας διαρκείας

The future continuous is used to express duration or repetition in the future.

Αύρηο όιε ηε κέρα ζα δηαβάδω. Tomorrow I shall be studying the whole day.
Όιο ηο θαιοθαίρη ζα δοσιεύεη. The whole summer he/she will be working.

12.3.5.1 Formation of the future continuous of the active voice

Verbs of the 1st and 2nd conjugation
Characteristics
The future continuous of the active voice can be formed by using: the particle “ζα” and the present
tense of the active voice of the verb.

Formation steps
The verbs γράθω (write), αγαπώ (love), ηειεθωλώ (telelphone) are used as examples:
1. Take the simple present of the active voice of the verb.
Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation, B1, B2
γράθω, γράθεης, γράθεη … αγαπώ, αγαπάς, αγαπάεη …
ηειεθωλώ, ηειεθωλείς, ηειεθωλεί, …

2. Place the particle “ζα” before the verb.

Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation, B1, B2
ζα γράθω, ζα γράθεης, ζα γράθεη … ζα αγαπώ, ζα αγαπάς, ζα αγαπάεη …
ζα ηειεθωλώ, ζα ηειεθωλείς, ζα ηειεθωλεί, …

In the table below one verb of each group is conjugated:

Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation, B1, B2
θα γράθω I shall be writting θα αγαπώ (-άω) I shall be loving
θα γράθεις … θα αγαπάς …
θα γράθει θα αγαπά (-άει)

θα γράθοσμε θα αγαπάμε (-ούμε)

θα γράθεηε θα αγαπάηε
θα γράθοσν θα αγαπάνε (-ούν)

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microfilm or any other means without written permission from the author Konstantinos Athanasiou.
 Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou

12.3.5.2 Formation of the future continuous of the medio-passive voice

Verbs of the 1st and the 2nd conjugation
Characteristics
The future continuous of the medio-passive voice can be formed by using: the particle “ζα” and the
present tense of the medio-passive voice of the verb.

Formation steps
The verbs πιερώλοκαη (be paid), αγοράδοκαη (be bought), αγαπηέκαη (be loved), θοηκάκαη (sleep),
δηεγούκαη (narrate) are used as examples:
1. Take the simple present of the medio-passive voice of the verb.
Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation,
B1, B2, archaic conjugation
πιερώλοκαη, πιερώλεζαη, … αγαπηέκαη, αγαπηέζαη, …
αγοράδοκαη, αγοράδεζαη, … θοηκάκαη, θοηκάζαη, …
δηεγούκαη, δηεγείζαη, …

2. Place the particle “ζα” before the verb.

Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation,
B1, B2, archaic conjugation
ζα πιερώλοκαη, ζα πιερώλεζαη, … ζα αγαπηέκαη, ζα αγαπηέζαη, …
ζα αγοράδοκαη, ζα αγοράδεζαη… ζα θοηκάκαη, ζα θοηκάζαη, …
ζα δηεγούκαη, ζα δηεγείζαη, …

In the table below one verb of each group is conjugated:

Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation,
B1, B2, archaic conjugation
θα πληρώνομαι θα αγαπιέμαι
θα πληρώνεζαι θα αγαπιέζαι
θα πληρώνεηαι θα αγαπιέηαι

θα πληρωνόμαζηε θα αγαπιόμαζηε
θα πληρώνεζηε θα αγαπιέζηε
θα πληρώνονηαι θα αγαπιούνηαι

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microfilm or any other means without written permission from the author Konstantinos Athanasiou.
 Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou

12.3.6 The present perfect / Παραθείκελος

The present perfect is the tense that connects the past with the present. The verb in the present perfect
expresses an action completed some time in the past with consequences that reach the present. The
speaker is not interested in time. The present perfect tense is used to describe:

- an action or event completed in the past, the result of which is detectable in the present
Έρσ γξάςεη ην γξάκκα θαη ζα ην ηαρπδξνκήζσ. I have written the letter and I am going to
post it.
- experiences the speaker has had or has never had in his life
Έρσ πάεη πνιιέο θνξέο ζηηο Ηλσκέλεο Πνιηηείεο ηεο Ακεξηθήο. I have been many times in the
United States of America.
Δελ έρσ πάεη πνηέ ζηελ Κίλα. I have never been in China.

The present perfect tense is formed by using the present tense of the auxiliary verb έρσ (have) (έρσ,
έρεηο, έρεη, έρνπκε, έρεηε, έρνπλ) and the infinitive of the past tense of the verb ending in -εη.

Έτεη πάεη πνιιέο θνξέο ζηελ Αζήλα. He/she has been many times in Athens.
Δελ έτφ θάεη ηίπνηα κέρξη ηώξα. I have not eaten anything untill now.

12.3.6.1 Formation of the present perfect of the active voice

Verbs of the 1st and the 2nd conjugation
Characteristics
The present perfect of the active voice can be formed by using the simple present of the auxiliary verb
έρσ (have) (έρσ, έρεηο, έρεη, έρνπκε, έρεηε, έρνπλ) and the infinitive of the past tense of the active
voice of the verb (in principle with the endings: -ζεη, -μεη, -ςεη).

Formation steps
The verbs δηαβάδσ (read), γξάθσ (write), αγαπώ (love) en ηειεθσλώ (telephone) are used as
examples:
1. Find the past stem of the active voice of the verb.
Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation, B1, B2
δηαβάδσ - δηαβαδ- - δηαβαζ- αγαπώ - αγαπ- - αγαπεζ-
γξάθσ - γξαθ- - γραυ- ηειεθσλώ - ηειεθσλ- - ηειεθφλεζ-

2. Place after the stem the ending -εη and put the stress mark on the second-to-last syllable.
Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation, B1, B2
δηαβάζ-εη αγαπήζ-εη
γξάς-εη ηειεθσλήζ-εη

3. Use the simple present of the auxiliary verb “έρσ” (έρσ, έρεηο, έρεη, έρνπκε, έρεηε, έρνπλ)
before the verb.
Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation, B1, B2
έρσ δηαβάζεη, έρεηο δηαβάζεη, … έρσ αγαπήζεη, έρεηο αγαπήζεη, …
έρσ γξάςεη, έρεηο γξάςεη, … έρσ ηειεθσλήζεη, έρεηο ηειεθσλήζεη, …

In the table below one verb of each group is conjugated:

Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation, B1, B2
έτφ I have written έτφ I have loved
έτεης … έτεης …
έτεη έτεη
γράυεη αγαπήζεη
έτοσκε έτοσκε
έτεηε έτεηε
έτοσλ έτοσλ

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microfilm or any other means without written permission from the author Konstantinos Athanasiou.
 Modern Greek Grammar
Konstantinos Athanasiou

12.3.6.2 Formation of the present perfect of the medio-passive voice

Verbs of the 1st and the 2nd conjugation
Characterestics
The present perfect of the medio-passive voice can be formed by using the simple present of the
auxiliary verb έρσ (have) (έρσ, έρεηο, έρεη, έρνπκε, έρεηε, έρνπλ) and the infinitive of the past tense of
the medio-passive voice of the verb (in principle ending in -ζεη, -ζηεη or (-θηεη, -ρηεη, -θζεη, -λζεη, -
(απ)ηεη, -(επ)ηεη)).

Formation steps
The verbs πιεξώλνκαη, αγνξάδνκαη, αγαπηέκαη, θνηκάκαη and δηεγνύκαη are used as examples:

1. Find the past stem of the medio-passive voice of the verb.

Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation,
B1, B2, archaic conjugation
πιεξώλνκαη - πιεξσλ- - πιερφζ- αγαπηέκαη - αγαπ- - αγαπεζ-
αγνξάδνκαη - αγνξαδ- - αγοραζη- θνηκάκαη - θνηκ- - θοηκεζ-
δηεγνύκαη - δηεγ- - δηεγεζ-

2. Place after the past stem the ending -εη and put the stress mark on the last syllable.
Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation,
B1, B2, archaic conjugation
πιεξσζ-εί αγαπεζ-εί
αγνξαζη-εί θνηκεζ-εί
δηεγεζ-εί

3. Use the simple present of the auxiliary verb “έρσ” (έρσ, έρεηο, έρεη, έρνπκε, έρεηε, έρνπλ)
before the verb.
Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation,
B1, B2, archaic conjugation
έρσ πιεξσζεί, έρεηο πιεξσζεί, … έρσ αγαπεζεί, έρεηο αγαπεζεί, …
έρσ αγνξαζηεί, έρεηο αγνξαζηεί, … έρσ θνηκεζεί, έρεηο θνηκεζεί, …
έρσ δηεγεζεί, έρεηο δηεγεζεί, …

In the table below one verb of each group is conjugated:

Group A, 1st conjugation Group B, 2nd conjugation,
B1, B2, archaic conjugation
έτφ I have been paid έτφ I have been loved
έτεης έτεης
έτεη έτεη
πιερφζεί αγαπεζεί
έτοσκε έτοσκε
έτεηε έτεηε
έτοσλ έτοσλ

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microfilm or any other means without written permission from the author Konstantinos Athanasiou.