εγώ
egó/eˈɣo/
The English pronoun I is translated as εγώ (egó) in Greek.
Meaning: personal pronoun (pron)
Which one should you use?
In Greek, the pronoun εγώ is often omitted in speech because the verb conjugation alone indicates the first-person singular subject. Using the full pronoun εγώ instead of omitting it serves to add emphasis or contrast, such as saying I (and not someone else).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
εγώ is a disyllabic word. Other forms include the accusative με (me) and the genitive μου (my / of me).
How do you pronounce it?
egó (/eˈɣo/)
Did you know?
- The word εγώ is a direct descendant of the Proto-Indo-European root *eǵóH, making it a linguistic sibling to the English word 'ego'.
- The Greek word εγώ appears in the New Testament frequently to emphasize the divine identity of Jesus, such as in the famous 'I am' statements.
- Because the pronoun εγώ is so frequently omitted, Greek speakers can technically form entire conversations where the subject is never explicitly named, yet the meaning remains perfectly clear.
Examples in context
- Εγώ έχω τη λίστα.I have the list.This sentence shows how to use εγώ to express possession.Tatoeba #5413443 by Zeus, translation #2360393 by CK
- Εγώ το αγόρασα ήδη.I already bought it.This sentence demonstrates the use of εγώ with a completed action.Tatoeba #3786814 by glavkos, translation #759362 by vgigregg
- Εγώ έχω τα κλειδιά.I have the keys.This sentence illustrates how εγώ is used to state possession of specific objects.Tatoeba #5413430 by Zeus, translation #2360392 by CK
- 91 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dimitris and Anastasia are deciding who will cook dinner.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΠοιος θα μαγειρέψει σήμερα;Poios tha mageirépsei símera;Who is going to cook today?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕγώ θα το κάνω.Egó tha to káno.I will do it.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΣίγουρα. Σε ευχαριστώ πολύ!Sígoura? Se efcharistó polý!Are you sure? Thank you very much!
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΔεν είναι πρόβλημα, Αναστασία.Den eínai próvlima, Anastasía.It is not a problem, Anastasia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “i” translations and entries εγώ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries εγώ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
