This first lesson teaches many important aspect of Greek like prepositions, vocabulary list about directions and finally common phrases about how to introduce yourself. I will try to give examples using both vocabulary and grammar. That way it will be easy for you to see the words when they are separate and when they are in a sentence. Going through the whole page should take about 30 min. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at Greek Classes.
Prepositions
Prepositions are used in almost every sentence. They can be a great tool to link words with each other. For example by simply knowing how to use "to", "with", "from", "after" you can expand your conversation scope. In short, a preposition describes a relationship between words in a sentence, for example: I agree with you.
Below is a list of 27 prepositions that you might come across or use very often. The table contains 3 columns (English, Greek, and Audio). Make sure you repeat each word after hearing it by either clicking on the audio button or by reading the pronunciation. That should help with memorization as well as improving your pronunciation.
Prepositions List in Greek
Prepositions
Greek
Audio
In front of
μπροστά από brostá apó
Behind
πίσω από píso̱ apó
Before
προτού / πριν protoú / prin
After
μετά metá
Inside
εντός / μέσα entós / mésa
With
με me
Without
χωρίς cho̱rís
Outside
εκτός / έξω ektós / éxo̱
On top of
πάνω σε / στην κορυφή páno̱ se / sti̱n koryfí̱
Under
κάτω από káto̱ apó
About (in regards to)
Περίπου Perípou
Against
κατά katá
And
και kai
As (similar to)
ως o̱s
Between
μεταξύ / ανάμεσα metaxý / anámesa
But
Αλλά Allá
For
για gia
From
από apó
In
σε se
Instead of
αντί του antí tou
Near
κοντά kontá
Of
του / της / του tou / ti̱s / tou
Or
ή í̱
Since
από apó
So
Λοιπόν / ώστε / έτσι / επομένως Loipón / ó̱ste / étsi / epoméno̱s
To
να na
Until
μέχρι méchri
Now we will try to implement some of the prepositions above into full Greek sentences. That way you will be able to use the word not only by itself but embedded in a structure.
Greek Prepositions in a Sentence
English
Greek
Audio
Can I practice Italian with you?
Μπορώ να εξασκήσω ιταλικά μου μαζί σου; Boró̱ na exaskí̱so̱ italiká mou mazí sou?
I speak French but with an accent
μιλάω γαλλικά αλλά με προφορά miláo̱ galliká allá me proforá
I was born in Miami
Γεννήθηκα στο Μαϊάμι Genní̱thi̱ka sto Maïámi
I'm from Japan
Είμαι από την Ιαπωνία Eímai apó ti̱n Iapo̱nía
The letter is inside the book
Το γράμμα είναι μέσα στο βιβλίο To grámma eínai mésa sto vivlío
The pen is under the desk
Το στυλό είναι κάτω από το θρανίο To styló eínai káto̱ apó to thranío
Directions
Can I help you?
Μπορώ να σας βοηθήσω; Boró̱ na sas voi̱thí̱so̱?
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact me If you simply want to ask a question, please Greek contact form on the header above.
Vocabulary List about Directions
Below is a list of 28 words and sentences related to directions that you might need when lost or asking for help. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to travel from point A to point B by following directions.
Giving Directions in Greek
Directions
Greek
Audio
Can you help me?
Μπορείτε να με βοηθήσετε; Boreíte na me voi̱thí̱sete?
Can you show me?
Μπορείτε να μου δείξετε; Boreíte na mou deíxete?
Come with me!
Ελάτε μαζί μου! Eláte mazí mou!
Downtown (city center)
κέντρο πόλης kéntro póli̱s
Excuse me! (to ask someone)
Με συγχωρείτε / Συγγνώμη Me syncho̱reíte / Syngnó̱mi̱
Finally, a couple sentences to help you know how to introduce yourself in Greek. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Greek Phrases page. Enjoy!
Common Expressions in Greek
English
Greek
Audio
Do you speak English?
Μιλάς Αγγλικά; Milás Angliká?
Just a little
Λίγο Lígo
What's your name?
Πώς σε λένε; Pó̱s se léne?
My name is (John Doe)
Το όνομά μου είναι (John Doe) To ónomá mou eínai (John Doe)
Χάρηκα για την γνωριμία Chári̱ka gia ti̱n gno̱rimía
You're very kind!
Είστε πολύ ευγενικός! Eíste polý ev̱genikós!
Fun Facts
Language Quote: The language of a society changes slowly but steadily with the result that an educated person will not be able to read or understand words in his language written 500 years ago. Do you feel like you can't talk to your parents? Maybe it's because you belong to the Niger-Congo family. More than 1,400 languages are spoken by different members of this family from Africa..
Congratulations! You finished your 4th lesson in Greek about prepositions, and directions. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Greek Lesson 5. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Greek homepage.