μπορώ
boró/boˈɾo/
The English phrase "can" is translated into Greek as μπορώ (boró). Wiktionary also lists δύναμαι (dýnamai).
Meaning: to be able to, to know how to (verb)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| μπορώ | boró | /boˈɾo/ |
| δύναμαι | dýnamai |
The primary meaning of these forms is to express the ability to do something or to know how to perform an action.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using μπορώ to express that one can perform an action, it is almost always followed by the particle να before the verb. For example, the phrase μπορώ να is used to express the ability to perform a specific task.
How do you pronounce it?
/boˈɾo/
Did you know?
- While μπορώ is the common way to say 'can', the form δύναμαι is the root of the English word 'dynamic'.
- In Ancient Greek, the word ἔμπορος referred to a 'merchant', which influenced how μπορώ developed over time through folk etymology.
- While μπορώ is the most common way to say 'can', using the more formal δύναμαι can make you sound like a character in a classical epic or a legal document.
Examples in context
- Μπορώ να φύγω τώρα;Can I leave now?Tatoeba #1603323 by glavkos, translation #31324 by CK
- Μπορώ να κάτσω εδώ;Can I sit here?Tatoeba #5441127 by Zeus, translation #1537275 by niceguydave
- Θα κάνω ό,τι μπορώ.I'll do what I can.Tatoeba #5612945 by Zeus, translation #1890890 by CK
- Μπορείτε να με βοηθήσετε;Can you help me?
- Δύναμαι να συμμετάσχω;Can I participate?
- Μπορείς να έρθεις αύριο;Can you come tomorrow?
- Μπορείς να κλείσεις το παράθυρο;Can you close the window?
- Μπορούμε να πάμε βόλτα μαζί;Can we go for a walk together?
- Μπορώ να έρθω στο γάμο;Can I come to the wedding?
- Μπορείς να με περιμένεις εδώ;Can you wait for me here?
- Μπορείτε να μου δώσετε περισσότερες πληροφορίες;Can you give me more information?
- Μπορούμε να κάνουμε αυτήν την εξέταση ομαδικά;Can we do this examination as a group?
- 138 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kosta and Maria are discussing a plan for the weekend.
- Κώστας KostasΜπορείς να έρθεις στο πάρτι;Borís na értheis sto párti;Can you come to the party?
- Μαρία MariaΝαι, μπορώ να έρθω.Nai, boró na értho.Yes, I can come.
- Κώστας KostasΜπορώ να φέρω και τον φίλο μου;Boró na féro kai ton fílo mou;Can I bring my friend too?
- Μαρία MariaΦυσικά, μπορείς να τον φέρεις.Fysiká, borís na ton féris.Of course, you can bring him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “can” translations and entries μπορώ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries μπορώ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
