Verbs are an essential part of any language, enabling us to describe actions, express needs, and convey thoughts. In this lesson, you’ll learn common Greek verbs, their conjugations, and how to use them in everyday sentences.
1. Common Greek Verbs
English | Greek | Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
To be | Είμαι | Íme |
To have | Έχω | Ého |
To go | Πηγαίνω | Pigéno |
To want | Θέλω | Thélo |
To eat | Τρώω | Tróo |
To drink | Πίνω | Píno |
To work | Δουλεύω | Doulévo |
To speak | Μιλάω | Miláo |
To love | Αγαπώ | Agapó |
To do/make | Κάνω | Káno |
2. Conjugation of Key Verbs in Present Tense
Verb: Είμαι (To be)
Subject Pronoun | Greek | Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
I am | Είμαι | Íme |
You are (sing.) | Είσαι | Íse |
He/She/It is | Είναι | Íne |
We are | Είμαστε | Ímaste |
You are (pl.) | Είστε | Íste |
They are | Είναι | Íne |
Verb: Έχω (To have)
Subject Pronoun | Greek | Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
I have | Έχω | Ého |
You have | Έχεις | Éhis |
He/She/It has | Έχει | Éhi |
We have | Έχουμε | Éhoume |
You have (pl.) | Έχετε | Éhete |
They have | Έχουν | Éhoun |
3. Useful Phrases with Verbs
Using Είμαι (To be)
I am a student.
- Είμαι μαθητής. (Íme mathitís.)
He is tired.
- Είναι κουρασμένος. (Íne kourasménos.)
Using Έχω (To have)
I have a car.
- Έχω ένα αυτοκίνητο. (Ého éna aftokínito.)
Do you have a book?
- Έχεις ένα βιβλίο; (Éhis éna vivlío?)
Using Θέλω (To want)
I want coffee.
- Θέλω καφέ. (Thélo kafé.)
Do you want water?
- Θέλεις νερό; (Thélis neró?)
4. Sample Conversations
Informal:
A: Τι κάνεις; (Ti kánis? – What are you doing?)
B: Τρώω ένα σάντουιτς. (Tróo éna sándouits. – I’m eating a sandwich.)
Formal:
A: Θέλετε καφέ ή τσάι;
(Thélete kafé í tsái? – Would you like coffee or tea?)
B: Θέλω καφέ, παρακαλώ.
(Thélo kafé, parakaló. – I’d like coffee, please.)
5. Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences using the correct verb:
- Εγώ ______ μαθητής. (I am a student.)
- Εσύ ______ βιβλίο; (Do you have a book?)
- Αυτός ______ στη δουλειά. (He is at work.)
Exercise 2: Translate to Greek
Translate the following sentences into Greek:
- I want to eat a pizza.
- We have a house in Greece.
- They are friends.
Exercise 3: Verb Conjugation Practice
Practice conjugating the verbs to be and to have with different subjects.
6. Common Verbs for Everyday Actions
English | Greek | Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
To read | Διαβάζω | Diavázo |
To write | Γράφω | Gráfo |
To listen | Ακούω | Akoúo |
To see | Βλέπω | Vlépo |
To play | Παίζω | Pízo |
7. Cultural Note
In Greek conversations, verbs often take different forms depending on whether you’re speaking formally or informally. Using the correct verb form can help you sound more natural and polite.