βασικές λέξεις
vasikés léxeis
The Greek phrase for "basic words" is βασικές λέξεις (vasikés léxeis).
This phrase refers to the most important or fundamental words needed to communicate in a language.
What does it mean word for word?
βασικές (vasikés) is the feminine plural form of the adjective βασικός (vasikós), meaning "basic" or "fundamental" and λέξεις (léxeis) is the plural form of the feminine noun λέξη (léxi), meaning "word".
How does it change in a sentence?
Because λέξη is a feminine noun, the adjective βασικές must also take the feminine plural ending -ες to agree with it. If you want to refer to a single "basic word", use the singular form βασική λέξη (vasikí léxi).
How do you pronounce it?
vasikés léxeis
Did you know?
- The word βασικός shares a root with βασιλεύς, the Greek word for 'king'. In Greek, something 'basic' is etymologically linked to that which is 'royal' or 'ruling'.
- The word λέξη is distinct from λόγος, which also means 'word' but refers to a 'discourse' or 'reason'. You cannot use λόγος when referring to a list of 'basic words'.
- The Greek word for 'word' λέξη is the ancestor of the English 'lexicon'. While 'basic words' is a common phrase, 'lexicon' is reserved for the entire vocabulary of a language.
Examples in context
- Πρέπει να μάθεις τις βασικές λέξεις.Prepei na mathis tis vasikes lexeis.You need to learn the basic words.
- Οι βασικές λέξεις είναι πολύ χρήσιμες.Oi vasikes lexeis einai poly chrisimes.The basic words are very useful.
- Ξέρεις κάποιες βασικές λέξεις στα Ισπανικά;Xereis kapi es vasikes lexeis sta Ispanika;Do you know some basic words in Spanish?
Example conversation
Dimitris and Eleni are talking about learning a new language.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΘέλω να μάθω μια νέα γλώσσα.Thélo na mátho mia néa glóssa.I want to learn a new language.
- Ελένη EleniΞεκίνα με τις βασικές λέξεις, Δημήτρη.Xekiná me tis vasikés léxeis, Dimítri.Start with the basic words, Dimitris.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕίναι δύσκολο να τις αποmemorίσω;Eínai dýskolo na tis apomemoríso?Is it hard to memorize them?
- Ελένη EleniΌχι, είναι πολύ απλά!Óchi, eínai polý aplá!No, they are very simple!
