είμαι από
eimai apo
The English phrase "I am from" is translated into Greek as είμαι από (eimai apo).
This phrase is used to state the place where a person was born or where they live.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb είμαι (I am) and the preposition από (from).
Which one should you use?
Κατάγομαι από is a formal way to say 'I am from' in Greek and Είμαι από 'δω is a colloquial way to say 'I am from here.'
How does it change in a sentence?
The female form is Είμαι από την. If the place you are from is a neuter noun, you use the article το instead of τη or τον.
How do you pronounce it?
eimai apo
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often forget to include the definite article before the country name, but in Greek, saying Είμαι από Ρωσία is grammatically incorrect. It must be Είμαι από τη Ρωσία.
Did you know?
- The word από shares a common Proto-Indo-European ancestor with the English preposition 'apo-', found in words like 'apogee', which refers to a point being 'away' from the center.
- The word από is used not only for geographic origin but also to describe the material a thing is made from, such as saying a table is 'from' wood.
- While είμαι από describes where you are from, Greeks often use the phrase είμαι του… (I am of…) when referring to their family's social or professional 'clan' or origin.
Examples in context
- Είμαι από τη Ρωσία.I am from Russia.This sentence shows how to use είμαι από with Russia.Tatoeba #3098526 by Zeus, translation #436345 by lukaszpp
- Είμαι από την Ίσπανία.I am from Spain.This sentence shows how to use είμαι από with Spain.Tatoeba #10679339 by amoeba, translation #1879772 by Asma
- Είμαι από την Ελλάδα.I am from Greece.This sentence shows how to use είμαι από with Greece.Tatoeba #3662526 by carlosalberto, translation #12076436 by Niki_Pechlivanidi
- Κατάγομαι από την Αμερική.I am from America.
- Είμαι από την Αυστραλία.I am from Australia.
- Είμαι από το Παρίσι.I am from Paris.
- Είμαι από 'δω, από τη Θεσσαλονίκη.I am from here, from Thessaloniki.
- Είμαι από την Κρήτη.I am from Crete.
- Είμαι από την Ελλάδα, από τη Θεσσαλονίκη.I am from Greece, from Thessaloniki.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kyriaki and Giorgos are meeting for the first time at a party.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΧαίρομαι που σε γνωρίζω. Είμαι από την Αθήνα.Chéromai pou se gnorízo. Eímai apó tin Athína.Nice to meet you. I am from Athens.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕγώ είμαι ο Γιώργος. Χαίρομαι επίσης.Egó eímai o Giórgos. Chéromai epísis.I am Giorgos. Nice to meet you too.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕσύ από πού είσαι;Esý apó poú eísai?Where are you from?
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίμαι από τη Θεσσαλονίκη.Eímai apó ti Thessaloníki.I am from Thessaloniki.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries από, είμαι, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
