Είμαι καλά
eimai kala/ˈi.me kaˈla/word by word
In Greek, "I am fine" is said as Είμαι καλά (eimai kala).
Είμαι καλά is a response used to express that you are doing well or are in good health.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb είμαι (I am) and the adverb καλά (well/fine).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word καλά is an adverb and does not change its form based on the gender or number of the person speaking.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈi.me kaˈla/. The first of three syllables is stressed.
When do people say it?
It is standard social etiquette to follow Είμαι καλά with ευχαριστώ (thank you) when responding to a greeting.
Did you know?
- In some regions, a person might respond to 'how are you' with Μια χαρά, which literally means 'one joy' and implies they are doing wonderfully.
- The verb είμαι is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'am', as both originate from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁ésmi.
- In Greek, the word καλά is often used as a 'discourse marker'. A speaker might say καλά several times during a conversation to signal they are following the logic of what the other person is saying.
Examples in context
- «Πώς είσαι;» «Είμαι καλά, ευχαριστώ.»"How are you?" "I am fine, thank you."This sentence shows how to use Είμαι καλά in a dialogue responding to a question.Tatoeba #3231613 by biber, translation #73914 by Zifre
- Είμαι καλά, ευχαριστώ.I am fine, thank you.Tatoeba #1661677 by kerbear407, translation #926934 by zvaigzne
- Ευχαριστώ, είμαι καλά.Thank you, I am fine.
- Είμαι καλά εδώ και καιρό.Eimai kala edo kai kero.I have been fine for a long time.
Example conversation
George and Kyriaki meet on the street.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΓεια σου Κυριακή, πώς είσαι;Geia sou Kyriakí, pós eísai?Hello Kyriaki, how are you?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕίμαι καλά, εσύ;Eímai kalá, esý?I am fine, and you?
- Γιώργος GiorgosΚι εγώ είμαι πολύ καλά.Ki egó eímai polý kalá.I am also very well.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΧαίρομαι πολύ για αυτό.Chaíromai polý gia aftó.I am very glad about that.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (είμαι, καλά) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries είμαι, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
