πώς είσαι;
pos eisai?
To ask "how are you doing" in Greek, say πώς είσαι.
πώς είσαι is a common greeting that asks about someone's current well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb πώς (how) and the second person singular form of the verb είμαι (to be), so it literally means "how are you?"
Which one should you use?
While πώς είσαι focuses on your state of being, τι κάνεις (literally "what are you doing?") is a more common, idiomatic way to ask how someone is in casual conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a formal context or when addressing more than one person, use the plural form πώς είστε instead of the singular πώς είσαι.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced pos eisai?
When do people say it?
A standard brief response is καλά (well). You can then return the question with και εσύ, meaning "and you?"
Did you know?
- The word πώς comes from the Ancient Greek πῶς (pôs), which has remained virtually unchanged in its role as an interrogative adverb for thousands of years.
- The word είσαι is a form of the verb είμαι, which is one of the most fundamental and frequently used verbs in the entire Greek language. Because it is so common, a small mistake in its conjugation can quickly signal that you are a beginner.
Examples in context
- Πώς είσαι;How are you doing?This is the whole greeting on its own, used to ask how someone is doing.Tatoeba #948586 by Zeus, translation #38926 by Zifre
- Γεια σου, πώς είσαι;Ya sou, pos ise;Hello, how are you doing?
Example conversation
Two friends meet on the street.
- Νίκος NikosΓεια σου Ελένη, πώς είσαι;Geia sou Eleni, pos eisai?Hi Eleni, how are you doing?
- Ελένη EleniΕίμαι καλά, Νίκο. Εσύ;Eimai kala, Niko. Esy?I'm doing well, Nikos. You?
- Νίκος NikosΚι εγώ είμαι πολύ καλά.Ki ego eimai poly kala.I am doing very well too.
- Ελένη EleniΧαίρομαι πολύ!Charomai poly!I'm very glad!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries πώς, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
