είμαι
eímai/ˈi.me/
The Greek word for "am" is είμαι (eímai).
είμαι is used to express the first person singular "I am".
Meaning: before noon (adv)
How does it change in a sentence?
είμαι is the first person singular form of the verb. Its counterparts include είσαι for the second person singular ("you are"), είναι for the third person singular ("he/she/it is"), είμαστε for the first person plural ("we are") and είστε for the second person plural or the polite singular ("you are").
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈi.me/. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word είμαι shares a common ancestor with the English word 'am', both descending from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁ésmi.
- Greek uses είμαι to describe a person's profession, such as είμαι γιατρός for 'I am a doctor', without needing an article like 'a'.
- The Greek verb είμαι is irregular and changes its stem completely when used in the past tense, becoming ήμουν.
Examples in context
- Δεν είμαι ιατρός!I am not a doctor!This sentence uses είμαι to express a negative state of being.Tatoeba #12076291 by Niki_Pechlivanidi, translation #12076292 by Niki_Pechlivanidi
- Είμαι από τη Ρωσία.I am from Russia.This sentence uses είμαι to state a place of origin.Tatoeba #3098526 by Zeus, translation #436345 by lukaszpp
- Είμαι από την Ίσπανία.I am from Spain.Tatoeba #10679339 by amoeba, translation #1879772 by Asma
- Δεν είμαι σίγουρος γι' αυτό.I am not sure about that.
- Είμαι κουρασμένος/κουρασμένη.I am tired.
- Με παρεξηγείς. Δεν είμαι ο εχθρός.You misunderstand me. I am not the enemy.
- 198 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Eleni and Dimitris are discussing their meeting time.
- Ελένη EleniΘα είμαι εκεί στις δέκα π.μ.Tha ímei ekéi stis déka p.m.I will be there at 10 am.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕίναι πολύ νωρίς για μένα.Eínai polý norís gia ména.That is too early for me.
- Ελένη EleniΤότε θα είμαι έτοιμη στις έντεκα π.μ.Tóte tha ímei étoimi stis énteka p.m.Then I will be ready at 11 am.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΑυτό είναι τέλειο, σε βλέπω τότε.Autó eínai téleio, se vlépo tóte.That is perfect, see you then.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry είμαι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries είμαι, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
