Prepositions

Greek Lesson 4 (Prepositions and Directions)

Duration: 30 mins

Lessons Greek Lessons
Linguistic Greek Vocabulary
Culture Greek Phrases
Structure Greek Grammar

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 ofμπροστά από
brostá apó
Behindπίσω από
píso̱ apó
Beforeπροτού / πριν
protoú / prin
Afterμετά
metá
Insideεντός / μέσα
entós / mésa
Withμε
me
Withoutχωρίς
cho̱rís
Outsideεκτός / έξω
ektós / éxo̱
On top ofπάνω σε / στην κορυφή
páno̱ se / sti̱n koryfí̱
Underκάτω από
káto̱ apó
About (in regards to)Περίπου
Perípou
Againstκατά
katá
Andκαι
kai
As (similar to)ως
o̱s
Betweenμεταξύ / ανάμεσα
metaxý / anámesa
ButΑλλά
Allá
Forγια
gia
Fromαπό
apó
Inσε
se
Instead ofαντί του
antí tou
Nearκοντά
kontá
Ofτου / της / του
tou / ti̱s / tou
Orή
í̱
Sinceαπό
apó
SoΛοιπόν / ώστε / έτσι / επομένως
Loipón / ó̱ste / étsi / epoméno̱s
Toνα
na
Untilμέχρι
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 accentμιλάω γαλλικά αλλά με προφορά
miláo̱ galliká allá me proforá
I was born in MiamiΓεννήθηκα στο Μαϊάμι
Genní̱thi̱ka sto Maïámi
I'm from JapanΕίμαι από την Ιαπωνία
Eímai apó ti̱n Iapo̱nía
The letter is inside the bookΤο γράμμα είναι μέσα στο βιβλίο
To grámma eínai mésa sto vivlío
The pen is under the deskΤο 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
Go straightΠηγαίνετε / Συνεχίστε ευθεία
Pi̱gaínete / Synechíste ef̱theía
How can I get to the museum? Πώς μπορώ να πάω στο μουσείο;
Pó̱s boró̱ na páo̱ sto mouseío?
How long does it take to get there?Πόση ώρα θέλει για να φτάσεις εκεί;
Pósi̱ ó̱ra thélei gia na ftáseis ekeí?
I'm lostΈχω χαθεί
Écho̱ chatheí
I'm not from hereΔεν είμαι από δω
Den eímai apó do̱
It's far from hereΕίναι μακριά από δω
Eínai makriá apó do̱
It's near hereΕίναι εδώ κοντά
Eínai edó̱ kontá
One moment please!Μια στιγμή / Ένα λεπτό παρακαλώ
Mia stigmí̱ / Éna leptó parakaló̱
Turn leftΣτρίψτε αριστερά
Strípste aristerá
Turn rightΣτρίψτε δεξιά
Strípste dexiá
Farμακριά
makriá
Hereεδώ
edó̱
Leftαριστερά
aristerá
Rightδεξιά
dexiá
Nearκοντά
kontá
Straightευθεία
ef̱theía
Thereεκεί
ekeí
To driveοδηγώ
odi̱gó̱
To turnστρίβω
strívo̱
To walkπερπατώ
perpató̱
Traffic lightφανάρι / φωτεινός σηματοδότης
fanári / fo̱teinós si̱matodóti̱s
TransportationΜεταφορά
Metaforá

Daily Conversation in Greek

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 littleΛίγο
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)
Mr... / Mrs. ... / Miss...Κύριος... / Κυρία... / Δεσποινίς...
Kýrios... / Kyría... / Despoinís...
Nice to meet you!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.

Lessons Greek Lessons
Linguistic Greek Vocabulary
Culture Greek Phrases
Structure Greek Grammar