συμπεριφέρομαι
symperiféromai/sim.be.ɾiˈfe.ɾo.me/
To behave in Greek is συμπεριφέρομαι (symperiféromai).
συμπεριφέρομαι is a verb used to describe acting in a polite or proper way.
Meaning: to act in a polite or proper way (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb is composed of the prefix συν- (together/with) and περιφέρομαι (to go around/to act), literally meaning to act in relation to something or someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The second person singular present indicative form is συμπεριφέρεσαι (you behave), and the third person singular aorist form, used for the past tense, is συμπεριφέρθηκε (he/she behaved).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 6 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable: /sim.be.ɾiˈfe.ɾo.me/. The romanization is symperiféromai.
Did you know?
- The root word φέρομαι comes from the same ancient root as the English word 'transfer', as both involve the act of carrying or moving something.
- In Greek, the verb συμπεριφέρομαι is 'deponent', meaning it has a passive form but an active meaning, a grammatical oddity that mirrors ancient Greek patterns.
- When a Greek person says someone δεν ξέρει να συμπεριφέρεται, they are literally saying that person 'does not know how to behave'.
Examples in context
- Συμπεριφέρεστε επαγγελματικά.Behave professionally (to a group or individual)
- Πρέπει να συμπεριφέρομαι σωστά στο σχολείο.Prepei na symperifero-me sosta sto scholeio.I must behave properly at school.
Example conversation
A mother is talking to her son about his behavior at a party.
- Ελένη EleniΠρέπει να συμπεριφέρεσαι ευγενικά στην παρέα.Prepei na symperifere-sai evgenika stin parea.You must behave politely with the group.
- Κώστας KostasΘα το κάνω, μαμά.Tha to kano, mama.I will do it, mom.
- Ελένη EleniΕίμαι σίγουρη ότι θα το κάνεις.Eimai sigouri oti tha to kaneis.I am sure that you will.
- Κώστας KostasΘα συμπεριφέρομαι πολύ καλά.Tha symperifero-mai poli kala.I will behave very well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry συμπεριφέρομαι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
