πώς είσαι σήμερα
pos eísai símera
The English phrase "how are you today" is translated into Greek as πώς είσαι σήμερα (pos eísai símera).
This phrase is a friendly greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being or mood.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of πώς (how), είσαι (you are) and σήμερα (today).
Which one should you use?
While πώς είσαι is the standard way to say "how are you", the phrase πώς είσαι σήμερα specifically adds the emphasis of "today".
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a group of people or to use a polite/formal tone with one person, change είσαι to είστε, resulting in πώς είστε σήμερα.
How do you pronounce it?
pos eísai símera
When do people say it?
A common and natural response to this greeting is καλά, ευχαριστώ (well, thank you).
Did you know?
- If you are asked πώς είσαι, a common cultural response is στα καλύτερα, meaning 'in the best of things', regardless of your actual mood.
- While πώς είσαι asks about your state, Greeks often use the phrase τι γίνεται which means 'what is happening' to greet friends informally.
- In very traditional Greek settings, someone might answer όπως ο Θεός θέλει meaning 'as God wills' when asked how they are doing.
Examples in context
- Πώς είσαι σήμερα, φίλε μου;Pós íse símera, fíle mou;How are you today, my friend?
Example conversation
Kostas meets Eleni on the street.
- Κώστας KostasΓεια σου Ελένη, πώς είσαι σήμερα;Yia sou Eléni, pós íse símera;Hello Eleni, how are you today?
- Ελένη EleniΕίμαι πολύ καλά, ευχαριστώ.Íme polý kalá, efcharistó.I am very well, thank you.
- Κώστας KostasΧαίρομαι πολύ που σε βρίσκω καλά.Chéromai polý pou se vrísko kalá.I am very glad to find you doing well.
- Ελένη EleniΚι εσύ, Κώστα, πώς είσαι;Ki esý, Kósta, pós íse;And you, Kostas, how are you?
