χρειάζομαι
chreiázomai/xɾiˈa.zo.me/
In Greek, "I need" is expressed as χρειάζομαι (chreiázomai).
The phrase is used to express that something is required or necessary.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb χρειάζομαι is inherently in the first-person singular form, so you do not need to add a pronoun like εγώ (I) to express "I need". To change the subject, you must change the verb form: use χρειαζόμαστε for "we need" and use χρειάζεται for "it is needed" or "he/she needs".
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of chreiázomai is /xɾiˈa.zo.me/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- Even though 'I' is the subject, the verb χρειάζομαι carries the meaning within its own ending. Adding the word εγώ for 'I' is grammatically redundant and can make you sound like a character in a theatrical Greek tragedy.
- When you want to say something 'takes' a certain amount of time, you do not use a verb for 'taking'. Instead, you use the impersonal form χρειάζεται, which translates more closely to 'it is needed'.
- To avoid appearing too demanding or blunt when asking for help, Greeks often bypass the word 'need' entirely. They frequently prefer the phrase μπορείς να μου κάνεις μια χάρη, which means 'can you do me a favor'.
Examples in context
- Χρειάζομαι τ' αμάξι σου.I need your car.This sentence is useful for expressing a need for a specific object like a car.Tatoeba #5413212 by Zeus, translation #2387833 by CK
- Χρειάζομαι τ' όνομά του.I need his name.This sentence is useful for expressing a need for information like a name.Tatoeba #5413435 by Zeus, translation #2387490 by CK
- Χρειάζομαι τα χάπια μου.I need my pills.This-sentence is useful for expressing a need for medication.Tatoeba #5593047 by Zeus, translation #2387509 by CK
- Χρειάζομαι ένα αντίγραφο της συμφωνίας.I need a copy of the agreement.
- Πρέπει να έχω πρόσβαση στο σύστημα.I need access to the system.
- Χρειάζομαι βοήθεια με τη μετακόμιση.I need help with the move.
- 93 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia and Giorgos are working together in an office.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΓιώργο, χρειάζομαι βοήθεια με αυτό το αρχείο.Giorgo, chreiazomai voitheia me afto to archeio.Giorgos, I need help with this file.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΦυσικά, Αναστασία. Τι πρέπει να κάνω;Fysika, Anastasia. Ti prepei na kano?Of course, Anastasia. What do I need to do?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΧρειάζομαι να εκτυπώσω αυτά τα έγγραφα.Chreiazomai na ektyposo afta ta eggrafa.I need to print these documents.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΈλα, θα τα φέρω σε ένα λεπτό.Ela, tha ta fero se ena lepto.Come, I will bring them in a minute.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry χρειάζομαι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
