English - Modern Greek

• In determining the correct case, it is necessary that the text can be parsed. Parsing is a grammatical exercise in which a text is divided into component parts of the speech, with an explanation of the form, function and syntactic relation of each component. The case determines the function of a Greek word in a sentence. If different cases of a Greek word can be formed, then the different functions can be indicated:

case	manner
1st case or nominative	is used for the subject of a sentence and for the nominal predicate.
2nd case or genitive	is used to indicate the possessor of a word in the genitive, in front of an indirect object denoted by a personal pronoun and following some prepositions
3rd case or dative	is only used for fixed expressions from Ancient Greek
4th case or accusative	is used in front of the direct object, for date and time indications and after most of the prepositions.
5de naamval of vocatief	is used, in front of the direct object with a verb in the imperative

• Parsing

When we, as an example, parse the sentence «τον επόμενο μήνα θα πάμε στη Νάξο» - the next month we will go to Naxos, the finite verb is «θα πάμε» - we will go, inwhich the subject is «έμας» - we is hidden. «θα πάμε» is also the predicate, «τον επόμενο μήνα» - the next month is an adverbial modifier (of time) and consequently inflected in the 4th case, the same applies for «στη Νάξο» - to Naxos, this is the adverbial modifier (of place), also inflected in the accusative (because of the use of the preposition «σε»). Look at English Grammar for more information about parsing.

• Word Classes

To describe the Word-Classes in the above sentence we are dealing with the following classes: «τον»- the is the accusative of the masculine article «ο», μήνα» is the masculine noun «μήνας» - month, declined in the accusative (without «ς») and «επόμενο» is the accusative of the adjective «επόμενος» - next. The preposition «σε» - to plus the accusative of the article «η» «την» is constricted to «στη», whereat the end «-ν» may be omitted in this case and «Νάξο» is the feminine noun «Νάξος» declined in the accusative.

• Examples of the parsing:

greek	english	parsing
Ο πατέρας εργάζεται σήμερα.	Father is working today.	The subject is «ο πατέρας». The predicate is «εργάζεται» and «σήμερα» is the adverbial.
Η Ελένη είναι πολύ έξυπνη.	Helen is very smart.	The subject is «η Ελένη». The nominal predicate is «είναι πολύ έξυπνη». The adjectival determination «έξυπνη» belongs to the subject. The adverbial «πολύ» is related to «έξυπνη». In this sentence is «είναι» a form of the verb «είμαι» - to be, used as a linking verb.
Το σπίτι του γιατρού είναι μεγάλο.	The house of the doctor is big.	The subject is «το σπίτι του γιατρού». The nominal predicate is «είναι μεγάλο», «είναι» is a form of «είμαι» - to be, used as a linking verb. The adjectival determination «μεγάλο» is pertained to «το σπίτι του γιατρού» and «του γιατρού» is an adjectival determination belonging to «το σπίτι».
Μου δίνει τα πορτοκάλια.	He gives the oranges to me.	«αυτός» - he/she, exists unmentioned as the subject in the finite verb «δίνει» which is also the predicate, «μου» is the indirect object, because the question can be asked: to whom does he give the oranges? and «τα πορτοκάλια» is the direct object, because the question can be asked: what does he give?
Η Ελλάδα είναι μια μεγάλη χώρα.	Greece is a big country	The subject is Greece. The nominal predicate is «είναι μια μεγάλη χώρα», expressed with the linking verb «είμαι».The subject Greece is described as a big country, hence «μια μεγάλη χώρα» is the nominal part of the nominal predicate and «είναι» is the verbial part of it. The adjectival determination «μεγάλη» belongs to the feminine noun «χώρα».

* Phrases and expessions from the Ancient Greek

The old 3rd case (the dative) survived in some fixed adverbial expressions. Although the dative does not have a function since long, in the spoken language there are a few vestiges in the form of blocks and fixed phrases:

A summary of lessons 1, 2, and 3

Some examples with the strong and weak forms of the personal pronouns:

• «αυτοί» in the nominative of the 3rd masculine person plural of the strong personal ponoun «αυτός», because they has been emphasised.
• «αυτή» in the nominative of the 3rd feminine person singular of the strong personal ponoun «αυτή». She goes to the shop not he, hence it is emphasised.
• «εσένα» in the accusative of the 2nd person singular of the strong personal pronoun «εσύ», because it is predicted by the preposition «χωρίς», this case is used. See the preposition page
• The same applies for «εμάς» in the accusative of the 1st person plural of the strong personal pronoun «εμείς», predicted by the preposition door «από».
• In sentence 5 «εμείς» is used because it is the subject. It is declined in the nominative. It means we and not they or you, which is also expressed through the conjugation of the verb «ζω» in the 3rd person plural.
• The question to be asked here is: to whom do you give? and the answer is: to her, hence «της» is declined in the genitive of the 3rd feminine person singular.
• The question is: to whom does he give them?: and the answer is: to him, hence «του» is declined in the genitive of the 3rd masculine personsingular. The weak personal pronoun «τα» is here the direct object.
• The question is: for whom does he (or she) open the door and the answer is: for her, hence «της is declined in the genitive of the 3rd feminine person singular.
• From the conjugation of the verb «ζω» is to be learned that we are dealing here with the strong personal pronoun «αυτοί».
• The question is: to whom are you writing? and the answer is: to him, hence «του» is declined in the genitive of the 3rd masculine person singular. The second question is: what are you writing to him? with the answer: it. The weak personal pronoun «τo» is again the direct object, hence it is declined in the 3rd neuter person singular.

Some examples with the articles and the possessive pronouns:

• The phrase «Ο πατέρας του» is the subject of the sentence, «ο» is the masculine article (the) and «του» the possessive pronoun (of him)
• The phrase «Ο πατέραςμου» is the subject of the sentence, «ο» is the masculine article (the) and) «μου» the possessive pronoun (mine)
• The phrase «το δικό του χωράφι» is the direct object, «το» the neuter article in the accusative and «δικό του» the emphasized possessive part.
• «η οικογένειά του» is the subject of the sentence, «η» the feminine article and «του» the possessive pronoun.
• The phrases «για τη(ν) δική μας οικογένεια» and «για τη(ν) δική σου» are declined in the accusative on behalf of the preposition «για». The feminine declined article «η» wordt in the accusatuve is «την» (the end «-ν» can be omitted in front of the «δ»). The emphasized parts pf the possessive pronoun «δικός, -ή, -ό» - own, are in feminine singular «δική μας» and «δική σου».
• «Οι δικοί της γονείς», the subject of the sentence, consists of «οι», the plural of the masculine article «ο». The plural of «ο γονέας» - the parent or the father is «οι γονείς».
• «δικό μου λάθος» is the nominal part of the predicate, because it follows a linkingverb , vanwege het koppelwerkwoord dat ervoor staat. «λάθος» - mistake, guilt, error is irregular, neuter noun of which the accusative is also «λάθος» is, i.o. «λάθο» (without «ς») as with the regular nouns in the accusative.
• The direct object is «τη δουλειά μου», therefore the accusative is used. «δουλειά» is a feminine noun, hence the article is declined to «την», but the end «ν», in front of the «δ», may be omitted staat. The possessive pronoun «μου» is not declined.
• «η μητέρα τους» is the subject, hence the nominative is used. The possessive pronoun, «τους», is not declined.
• «τις δικές μας τάξεις», «τα δικά μας μαθήματα» and «τη δική μας γλώσσα» are direct objects, the strong possessive form with «δικός, -ή, -ό» is used.

Some examples with adverbs and adjectives

• «παλιός» is an adjective related to the masculine noun «αριθμός». It is an adjective in the category ending in «-ος, -α, -ο». Sometimes the possessive pronoun is placed between the adjective and the noun.
• «πίσω» is an adverb, which means behind or back. It is often used with the prepositions «κατά» and «από»
• «τελευταίος, -α, -ο» is also an adjective in the category ending in «-ος, -α, -ο», related to feminine noun «ευκαιρία».
• The adjective «γαλάζιος, -α, -ο» appertains to the masculine noun «ουρανός» and «πράσινος, -η, -ο» to the neuter noun «γρασίδι».(Hence both have been parsed in the masculine and neuter nominative)
• «κιόλας» is an adverb of time.
• «βραστός» is an adjective in the category ending on «-ος, -η, -ο».
• «απέναντι» is an adverb of place.
• «όμορφος» is related to the masculine noun «κήπος». It is an adjective in the category ending on «-ος, -η, -ο»
• «δίπλα» is an adverb of place, often used in combination with the preposition «σε» which is in this case combined with the neuter article το» het onzijdige lidwoord
• «μπλε» is an indeclinable adjective in both gender and case as in singular and plural.

In this lesson the following verbs, nouns, prepositions, adjectives, personal and possessive pronouns are used in sentences,

.

Greek	English
	meaning	part of speech
βρίσκω	to find, locate	Irregular verb with active and passive voices
μένω	to stay, live, dwell	Irregular verb in the active voice
μπορώ	to can, may, be able to	Regular verb in the active voice
φεύγω	to go away, leave	Irregular verb in the active voice
ο Άγγλος, Εγγλέζος	the Englishman	masculine noun
ο αριθμός	number, numeral	masculine noun
ο γείτονας	the neighbour	masculine noun
το γρασίδι	grass	neuter noun
το δείπνο	the dinner, supper	neuter noun
η εκκλησία	the church	feminine noun<
η ευκαιρία	the opportunity, chance	feminine noun
το κατάστημα	the shop, store	neuter noun
τα λεφτά	the money	neuter noun (plural)
το Λονδίνο	London	neuter noun
η μελιτζάνα	eggplant, aubergine	feminine noun<
ο μήνας	the month	masculine noun
η Νάξος	Naxos	feminine noun
η πόλη	town	feminine noun
το νοσοκομείο	hospital	neuter noun
η σύζυγος	wife	feminine noun
ο σύζυγος	husband	masculine noun
η τάξη	classroom, class	feminine noun<
ο χρόνος	time, year	masculine noun
το χρώμα	color	neuter noun
το χωράφι	field, land	neuter noun
απλά	simply, plainly	adverb
άσχημα	wrong, badly	adverb
δίπλα	beside, next to, near	adverb
καθαρά	clearly, plainly	adverb
κιόλας	already, in addition, also	adverb
πάντα	always, ever	adverb
ακίνητος -η, -ο	motionless,immobiile, still	adjective
ενήμερος -η, -ο	aware	adjective
επόμενος, -η, -ο	next, following	adjective
ίδιος, -α, -ο	same, self	adjective
μόνος, -η, -ο	alone	adjective
μπλε	blue	indeclinable adjective
περισσότερος, -η, -ο	numerous, more	adjective
πράσινος, -η, -ο	green	adjective
ξύπνιος -α, -ο	awake, alert	adjective
σταθερός -η, -ο	stable, steady, fixed	adjective
χωρίς	without	preposition

The herewith formed sentences are:

Greek	English
Σου δίνω μια τελευταία ευκαιρία	I give you a last chance.
Τα λεφτά δεν έχει χρώμα.	Money does not have a color.
Δίπλα στο κατάστημα βρίσκεται η εκκλησία.	Next to the store is the church located.
Η σύζυγος του κ. Κωνσταντίνου δεν μιλά ελληνικά.	The wife of Mr. Konstantinos does not speak Greek.
Το επόμενο καλοκαίρι θα πάμε στην Ελλάδα.	Next summer we are going to Greece.
Το γρασίδι είναι πράσινο.	The grass is green.
Έχω δείπνο με τους φίλους μου.	I an having dinner with my friends.
Τα αυγά για το πρωινό είναι βρασμένα.	The eggs for breakfast are boiled.
Εκεί είναι τα χωράφια μου.	There are my fields.
Εχoυμε και βραστές μελιτζάνες για δειπνό.	We also have boiled eggplants for dinner.

The present tense in the indicative mood of the verb «βρίσκω».

• «βρίσκω» is an irregular active verb that occurs in a number of expressions.
• It has also a irregular passive voice, viz. - to be located, to be situated, to be found.

The present tense in the indicative mood of the verb «μένω».

• «μένω» is irregular active verb. It is mixed used with «ζω» (see lesson 3) e.g. as in:

Use	Examples
to inhabit, to live in	André lives in the house of his parents.	ο Ανδρέας ζει (μένει) στο σπίτι των γονέων του.
	Their neighbour lives upstairs.	Ο γείτονάς τους μένει (ζει) πάνω.

• «ζω» and «μένω» separately a.f.:

Use	Examples
to stay alive	Yes, he/she is still alive.	Ναι, ζει ακόμα.
to live together	She lives with her friend.	Ζει με το φίλο της.
	They live with their children.	ζούν με τα παιδιά τους.
to live (alone)	My brother lives alone.	Ο αδελφός μου ζει μόνος του.

Use	Examples
doorgaan	We have still two months left.	Μας μένουν δύο μήνες ακόμα.
blijven	You can stay todayU kunt vandaag blijven.	Μπορείτε να μείνετε σήμερα.
	Do you stay here today?	Μένεις εδώ σήμερα;
to wait	Wait here!	Μείνε* εδώ!
to stay, to dwell, to abide	Can I stay here for a month?	Μπορεί να μείνω* εδώ για ένα μήνα;
to live, to dwell	My friend lives in the same town.	Ο φίλος μου μένει στην ίδια πόλη.

* «μείνε» is the aorist° imperative of the verb «μένω» and * «να μείνω» is the 1ste person of the aorist° in the subjunctive mood. Look at the complete conjugation of «μένω»

° The aorist indicates a closed action or activity

A few comon types of expressions with «μένω» are:

Greek	English
μένω σταθερός	tenacious/remain stable
μένω για περισσότερο χρόνο από...	Its years ago that...
μένω ενήμερος	to keep informed
μένω πίσω	stay behind
μένω ακίνητος	be quiet, keep it down (don't move)
μένω ξύπνιος	stay alert, stay awake

The present tense of the active verb «μπορώ».

• «μπορώ» is a regular active verb. It is a personal verb, which expresses the ability or the permission for the subject to do something.
• It has no passive voice.
• The 3rd person singular is the impersonal form «μπορεί» which is often used to express the possibility of something that may happen. It can be combined with the particle «να» of the subjunctive mood and moreover with all other verb forms.

The present tense in the indicative mood of the verb «φεύγω».

• «φεύγω» is an irregular active verb without a passive voice.