Greek, the language spoken by millions across Greece and Cyprus, has its own unique way of expressing dates. Whether you’re planning a trip to Greece, learning the language, or simply have an interest in different cultures, this guide will teach you how to say dates in Greek. We’ll cover both the formal and informal ways, with some useful tips and examples along the way. Let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Dates in Greek
When communicating in formal settings, such as in business or official documents, it’s important to use the proper expressions for dates. Here are some commonly used phrases:
1. Basic Format
Greek dates typically follow the format: day/month/year. For example, if today is the 15th of July, 2023, it would be written as “15/7/2023”. Keep in mind that Greek uses a dot as the separator, rather than a slash.
2. Months
Greek months are similar to those used in English, but with some variations in pronunciation. Here’s a list of the months in Greek along with their English equivalents:
- Ιανουάριος (Ianouários) – January
- Φεβρουάριος (Fevrouários) – February
- Μάρτιος (Mártios) – March
- Απρίλιος (Aprílios) – April
- Μάιος (Máios) – May
- Ιούνιος (Ioúnios) – June
- Ιούλιος (Ioúlios) – July
- Αύγουστος (Ávgo̱stos) – August
- Σεπτέμβριος (Septémvrios) – September
- Οκτώβριος (Októvrios) – October
- Νοέμβριος (Noémvrios) – November
- Δεκέμβριος (Dekémvrios) – December
3. Days
To express the days of the month in Greek, you can use the cardinal numbers (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd) followed by the word “του” (tou). For example, “1st of July” would be “1η του Ιουλίου”. Here are some examples of how to say different days:
- 1st – 1η (protí)
- 2nd – 2η (deftéra)
- 3rd – 3η (trítí)
- 4th – 4η (tétarti)
- 5th – 5η (pénte)
- 6th – 6η (éxi)
- 7th – 7η (eftá)
- 8th – 8η (októ)
- 9th – 9η (ennía)
- 10th – 10η (déka)
- …and so on.
Informal Ways to Say Dates in Greek
In informal conversations or casual settings, Greeks often use different expressions when talking about dates. The following phrases are commonly used:
1. “Σήμερα” (Se̱méra) – Today
If you want to say “today” in Greek, you can simply use the word “σήμερα” (se̱méra). For example, if someone asks you what the date is, you can respond with “Σήμερα είναι 15 Ιουλίου” (Se̱méra eínai 15 Ioúliou) which means “Today is the 15th of July”.
2. “Αύριο” (Ávrio) – Tomorrow and “Χθες” (Hthes) – Yesterday
To refer to tomorrow or yesterday, Greeks use the words “αύριο” (ávrio) and “χθες” (hthes) respectively. For instance, if someone asks about tomorrow’s date, you can say “Αύριο είναι 16 Ιουλίου” (Ávrio eínai 16 Ioúliou).
Talking about Dates with Regional Variations
While the formal and informal expressions for dates in Greek are widely used across Greece and Cyprus, there are some regional variations worth noting. These variations mainly involve local dialects and differences in pronunciation. However, for practical purposes, it’s best to stick to the commonly understood formal and informal phrases mentioned above.
Tip: When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to use the standard formal expressions for dates to ensure clear communication, especially if you’re writing an official document or email.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of this comprehensive guide on how to say dates in Greek. We covered both formal and informal ways of expressing dates, with examples and useful tips along the way. Remember to use the basic format of day/month/year in formal contexts, and feel free to incorporate the informal phrases in casual conversations. Whether you’re interacting with locals during your travels or simply expanding your language skills, this knowledge will undoubtedly enhance your understanding of Greek culture. Enjoy exploring the beautiful language of Greece!
