How to Ask Questions in Greek: Essential Tips for Beginners

All the required information about asking questions in Greek

One of the first things you will want to learn to do in Greek is to ask questions. As with all languages, questions in Greek offer an opportunity to initiate dialogues, request responses, and guide you through day-to-day communication. In this article guide, you will learn the basics of Greek question words, how to structure a question and a list of the most common questions you can use in your everyday life. It will help you speak confidently in the language when traveling, practicing with friends, or simply working on your fluency, by knowing the right way about how to ask questions in Greek.

The importance of learning questions in Greek

Learning to ask questions in Greek is essential for any learner. Questions allow you to gain information, clarify meaning, and engage with others in meaningful ways.

From simple queries like “Where is this?” to more complex questions about preferences or opinions, this skill will bring you one step closer to speaking Greek naturally.

The Greek language has several essential question words that you’ll need to know to form a variety of questions. Let's take a looks at some of the most common ones:

Basic question words in Greek

• Τι (tee) – What?

• Πού (pou) – Where?

• Πότε (pote) – When?

• Γιατί (yatee) – Why?

• Πώς (pos) – How?

• Ποιος / Ποια / Ποιο (peeos/ peea / peeo) – Who & Which?

• Πόσος / Πόση / Πόσο (posos / posee / poso) – How much?

These words form the basis of most questions in Greek, and learning them will provide a foundation for creating your own questions.

How are questions formed in Greek? (Question structure)

In Greek, questions often follow a similar word order as in English, making it easier for beginners.

However, note that Greek doesn’t use a specific “do/does” or “is/are” helper verb as in English. Instead, you can directly place the question word at the beginning.

For example:

• Πού μένεις; (Pou menees?) – Where do you live?

• Πώς είσαι; (Pos eese?) – How are you?

• Ποιος είναι αυτός; (Peeos eene aftos?) – Who is he?

• Ποια είναι αυτή; (Peea eene aftee?) – Who is she?

• Ποιo είναι το όνομα σου; (Peeο eene to onoma sou?) – What is your name?

• Πότε φεύγεις; (Pote fevyees?) – When are you leaving?

The tone of voice also plays a role in spoken Greek.
When asking questions, speakers typically raise their tone at the end of the sentence.

However, question marks are important when writing in Greek; the Greek question mark (;) is different from the English version and resembles a semicolon.

Common Greek Questions for Everyday Use

Learning specific questions that you can use in everyday conversations will give you the confidence to interact with native speakers.
We have put together a useful list of some common Greek questions, along with their translations and explanations:

• Τι κάνεις; (Tee kanees?) – What are you doing?

  • A casual question to ask someone about their current activity, or to literally ask them what are they doing.
    

• Πώς σε λένε; (Pos se lene?) – What’s your name?

  • A great way to start a conversation with someone new.
    

• Πόσο κάνει; (Poso kanee?) – How much does it cost?

  • Useful for shopping and understanding prices.
    

• Πού είσαι; (Pou eese?) – Where are you?

  • A handy question when coordinating with friends or family.
    

• Πότε ξεκινάει; (Pote ksekinaee?) – When does it start?

  • Use this to ask about the start time of an event or activity.
    

• Γιατί το έκανες; (Yatee to ekanes?) – Why did you do it?

  • A more complex question, but very common in both casual and formal conversations.
    

• Πώς μπορώ να πάω…; (Pos boro na pao…?) – How can I go/get to…?

  • Perfect for asking directions, followed by the location you’re trying to reach.

How to ask for clarification in Greek

• Μπορείς να επαναλάβεις; (Borees na epanalavees?) – Can you repeat that?

  • A polite question to ask someone to repeat what they said
    

• Πώς το λέτε στα ελληνικά; (Pos to lete sta ellinika?) – How do you say that in Greek?

  • A useful question to enquire about specific words you do not know in Greek
    

• Τί σημαίνει το..; (Tee seemenee to..?) – What does (that) mean..?

  • Another way of requesting the Greek word for something
    

• Μπορώ να ρωτήσω; (Boro na roteeso?) – May I ask?

  • A polite way to request permission to ask a question
    

• Μπορείτε να μου πείτε.. (Boreete na mou peete..) – Can you tell me..?

  • Used for when directions, information, etc is needed
    

• Μπορείτε να μου εξηγήσετε.. (Boreete na mou ekseeyeesete..) – Can you explain to me..?

  • A direct way to ask for clarification and information about specific topics
    

• Μπορείτε να μου δώσετε ένα παράδειγμα…; (Boreete na mou dosete ena paradeigma..?) – Can you give me an example?

  • Perfect for requesting an example to solidify an ambiguous or unclear concept/idea

When learning a new language, there are times when you might need someone to repeat, explain, or slow down their words to fully understand what’s being said.

Knowing how to politely ask for clarification in Greek is an essential skill that not only aids your learning but provides the opportunity for a more thorough understanding of topics while it can also make interactions smoother and more enjoyable.

Whether you’re engaging in everyday conversation, asking directions, or following along in a lesson, these phrases will help you confidently seek clarity when needed.

The following questions can act as your guide to common expressions and polite ways to ask for clarification in Greek:

Tips for Formulating Your Own Greek Questions

Once you’ve mastered some basic questions, it is natural to wonder how to create your own.
Here are a few tips to guide you:

• Start with a Question Word: Begin with one of the Greek question words above or any other introductory words for questions you might have come across. For example, if you want to ask “Where is the bathroom?” start with “Πού” (pou) - Where

• Use the Infinitive for Intentions or How-To Questions: In Greek, adding “να” (na) - to, followed by the verb in its base form can help you ask “how-to” questions. For example, Πώς να μάθω Ελληνικά; (Pos na matho eleeneeka?) – How to learn Greek?

• Practice Politeness Phrases: If you want to be extra polite, adding παρακαλώ (parakalo) meaning “please” can help.
  For example Πού είναι ...(place, item, etc) παρακαλώ; (Pou eene ..... parakalo?) – Where is ..... please?

Practice Makes Perfect: Try Using These Greek Questions Yourself

To become more comfortable with asking questions in Greek, start using some of the provided examples in your daily life or practice sessions.
When interacting with your tutor, a friend, or even rehearsing on your own, the more you practice the more you will improve your confidence in conversation.

If you’re new to the Greek language and want to dive deeper into how to form questions, working with a Greek tutor can be a huge help.
A tutor can provide personalised feedback, answer any questions, and guide you through the nuances of speaking Greek with ease and clarity.

To Sum Up: Why Questions are Key in Learning Greek?

Mastering questions in Greek is an essential skill that can help you navigate conversations, seek out new information, and deepen your understanding of the language. By starting with some of the most common Greek questions, you’ll be better prepared to engage in everyday situations and learn more confidently!

Mastering the art of asking questions in Greek is a powerful step toward fluency and building meaningful connections.

If you’re ready to take your Greek to the next level, why not explore our personalised courses?

Book your FREE 30-minute consultation to discuss your goals and see how we can support your journey toward speaking Greek with ease.
We’d be thrilled to help you achieve your language dreams!

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