Greek Verbs

Welcome to the 10th lesson about verbs in Greek. We will first learn about the present tense, followed by the past tense, and future tense. We will also analyze some grammar rules, and finally practice how to ask for direction in Greek.

Verbs are used to express an action (I swim) or a state of being (I am). The present tense in Greek conveys a situation or event in the present time. Here are some examples:

Present Tense	Greek	Pronunciation
I speak English	μιλάω αγγλικά	[milao ayylika]
you speak French	μιλάτε γαλλικά	[milate yallika]
he speaks German	μιλάει γερμανικά	[milaei yermanika]
she speaks Italian	μιλάει ιταλικά	[milaei italika]
we speak Arabic	μιλάμε αραβικά	[milame aravika]
they speak Chinese	μιλούν κινέζικα	[miloύn kinezika]

The past tense in Greek conveys a situation or event in the past time. Here are some examples:

Past Tense	Greek	Pronunciation
I visited France	επισκέφθηκα τη γαλλία	[episkeftheka te yallia]
you visited Italy	επισκέφτηκες την ιταλία	[episkeftekes ten italia]
he visited Morocco	επισκέφθηκε το μαρόκο	[episkeftheke to maroko]
she visited China	επισκέφτηκε την κίνα	[episkefteke ten kina]
we visited Mexico	επισκεφθήκαμε το μεξικό	[episkefthekame to mexiko]
they visited Kenya	επισκέφθηκαν την κένυα	[episkefthekan ten kenea]

The future tense in Greek conveys a situation or event which is anticipated to happen in the future. Here are some examples:

Future Tense	Greek	Pronunciation
I will drink milk	θα πιω γάλα	[tha pio yala]
you will drink coffee	θα πιείτε καφέ	[tha pieite kafe]
he will drink tea	θα πιει τσάι	[tha piei tsai]
she will drink water	θα πιει νερό	[tha piei nero]
we will drink apple juice	θα πιούμε χυμό μήλου	[tha pioύme chemo meloe]
they will drink tea	θα πιουν τσάι	[tha pioen tsai]

Now let's take a break and refresh our vocabulary by learning the body parts.

ear αυτί [aeti]	eye μάτι [mati]	mouth στόμα [stoma]	nose μύτη [mύte]
hair μαλλιά [mallia]	face πρόσωπο [prosopo]	head κεφάλι [kefali]	heart καρδιά [karthia]
hand χέρι [cheri]	fingers δάχτυλα [thachtela]	leg πόδι [pothi]	feet πόδια [pothia]

Travel Phrases in Greek

Imagine yourself in some Greek speaking country. The following travel phrases are highly important and can help you avoid misunderstanding. Try to memorize them and practice!

English	Greek	Pronunciation
Can you help me?	μπορείς να με βοηθήσεις;	[mporeis na me voetheseis;]
Can I help you?	να σε βοηθήσω;	[na se voetheso;]
Where is the airport?	πού είναι το αεροδρόμιο;	[poύ einai to aerothromio;]
Go straight	πηγαίνετε ευθεία	[peyainete eetheia]
Then	μετά	[meta]
Turn left	στρίψτε αριστερά	[stripste aristera]
Turn right	στρίψτε δεξιά	[stripste thexia]

I hope this lesson about the verbs in Greek was not hard for you. If you have any question about this lesson please contact me here. Now it's time to check the next lesson below.

Greek Vocabulary

Greek Audio

Inspirational Quote: Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. Goethe