Μπορώ να παραγγείλω;
boro na parangeilo?
To ask can I order in Greek, say Μπορώ να παραγγείλω.
Add Παρακαλώ, please, to soften the request and thank the server with ευχαριστώ. To ask about ordering an item, Μπορώ να παραγγείλω κάτι means can I order something.
What does it mean word for word?
Μπορώ means I can, να is a particle linking verbs, similar to to and παραγγείλω means I order.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Θα μπορούσα να παραγγείλω uses the conditional mood and sounds more formal and even more polite, like could I order.
How does it change in a sentence?
In speech the question is marked by rising intonation, not by a change in word order. In writing it ends with the Greek question mark .
How do you pronounce it?
Romanized, it reads boro na parangeilo.
Did you know?
- While παραγγείλω is used for ordering a meal, a superior giving a military or official 'order' uses the unrelated word διαταγή.
- In Greece, the process of ordering food is often a slow, social event where servers will rarely rush you to order.
- The word μπορώ for 'can' descends from an Ancient Greek word meaning 'to thrive' or 'to prosper'.
Example conversation
A woman is sitting at a cafe table and calls the waiter.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΣυγγνώμη, μπορώ να παραγγείλω;Sygnómi, mporó na parangeílo;Excuse me, can I order?
- Νίκος NikosΦυσικά, τι θα θέλατε;Fysiká, ti tha thélate;Of course, what would you like?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΘα ήθελα έναν καφέ, παρακαλώ.Tha íthela énan kafé, parakaló.I would like a coffee, please.
- Νίκος NikosΕντάξει, θα τον φέρω αμέσως.Entáxei, tha ton féro amésos.Alright, I will bring it immediately.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries μπορώ, να, CC BY-SA 4.0.
