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. Please check out our main menu here for more lessons: homepage. To see the full menu, you can also click on the "Menu" icon on the left side.