θέλεις
théleis
The English phrase "do you want" is expressed in Greek as θέλεις (théleis).
The phrase is used to ask if someone desires something or wishes to do something.
Which one should you use?
Use θέλετε when you are addressing more than one person or when using the formal/polite 'you'. Θες is used in informal conversations to ask "do you want". Θα θες is an informal variation that translates to "will you want".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In informal conversations, you can use Θες. For formal or polite situations, use Θέλετε or Επιθυμείτε.
How does it change in a sentence?
θέλεις is the second-person singular form of the verb θέλω (to want). When θέλεις is followed by an action, it must be followed by the conjunction να and the subjunctive form of the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
théleis
Did you know?
- While θέλεις asks about desire, Greeks often use μπορείς ('can you') as a polite substitute to avoid sounding too demanding when asking for a favor.
- The Greek word for 'will' or 'desire', θέλημα, shares a linguistic root with θέλεις and is often used in religious contexts to describe the 'will of God'.
- The verb θέλω is used in the expression θέλω να πω, which literally means 'I want to say' but is often used as a filler phrase like 'I mean'.
Examples in context
- Θέλεις να της πω;Do you want me to tell her?This sentence shows how to use θέλεις to ask if someone wants you to tell her.Tatoeba #5568229 by Zeus, translation #3908444 by CH
- Θέλεις να του πω;Do you want me to tell him?This sentence shows how to use θέλεις to ask if someone wants you to tell him.Tatoeba #5568233 by Zeus, translation #3908443 by CH
- Θέλεις να τις πω;Do you want me to tell them?This sentence shows how to use θέλεις to ask if someone wants you to tell them.Tatoeba #5568246 by Zeus, translation #3908442 by CH
- Επιθυμείτε ένα φλιτζάνι καφέ;Do you want a cup of coffee?
- Θέλετε να πάμε σινεμά;Do you want to go to the cinema?
- Θες ένα σουβλάκι;Do you want a souvlaki?
- 83 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Eleni and Giorgos are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- Ελένη EleniΘέλεις να πάμε για πίτσα;Thélis na páme gia pítsa;Do you want to go for pizza?
- Γιώργος GiorgosΔεν μου αρέσει η πίτσα σήμερα.Den mou arései i pítsa símera.I don't feel like pizza today.
- Ελένη EleniΛοιπόν, θέλεις να φάμε ιαπωνικό;Loipón, thélis na fáme iaponikó;Well, do you want to eat Japanese?
- Γιώργος GiorgosΝαι, αυτό είναι μια πολύ καλή ιδέα!Nai, aftó eínai mia polý kalí idéa!Yes, that is a very good idea!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
