θέλω νερό
thélo neró/ˈθelo neˈɾo/word by word
In Greek, the phrase for "I want water" is θέλω νερό (thélo neró).
The phrase θέλω νερό is a simple statement used to express a desire or need for water.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of θέλω (thélo), meaning "I want" and νερό (neró), meaning "water".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form θέλω νερό is direct and can sound slightly blunt or demanding in a restaurant or formal setting.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the first-person singular form of the verb θέλω (thélo). This form inherently includes the subject "I" (εγώ), so you do not need to add the pronoun εγώ to the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
thélo neró
Did you know?
- The word νερό was not originally the word for 'water' but evolved from the phrase νεαρὸν ὕδωρ which literally meant 'fresh water'.
- Even though ὕδωρ is the ancient word for water, it still survives today in modern English words like 'hydrogen' or 'hydrant'.
- While θέλω νερό is direct, Greeks often use the phrase παρακαλώ ένα νερό meaning 'please a water' to avoid sounding too demanding in a cafe.
Examples in context
- Θα ήθελα ένα ποτήρι νερό, παρακαλώ.I would like a glass of water, please.
- Μήπως μπορείτε να φέρετε ένα ποτήρι με νερό, παρακαλώ;Could you bring a glass of water, please?
- Θέλω ένα ποτήρι νερό.I want a glass of water.
- Θα 'θελα ένα μπουκάλι νερό κρύο, παρακαλώ.I would like a bottle of cold water, please.
- Θέλω ένα ποτήρι νερό με πάγο, παρακαλώ.I want a glass of water with ice, please.
- θέλω νερό, παρακαλώ.thélo neró, parakaló.I want water, please.
- Δεν θέλω καφέ, θέλω νερό.Den thélo kafé, thélo neró.I don't want coffee, I want water.
- Θέλω νερό επειδή διψάω.Thélo neró epeísi dipsáo.I want water because I am thirsty.
Example conversation
Two people are resting after a walk.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕίμαι πολύ διψασμένος, θέλω νερό.Eimai poly dipsasmenos, thelo nero.I am very thirsty, I want water.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΈχω ένα μπουκάλι εδώ.Echo ena boukali edo.I have a bottle here.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕυχαριστώ πολύ, Κυριακή.Efcharisto poly, Kyriaki.Thank you very much, Kyriaki.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠαρακαλώ, Δημήτρη.Parakalo, Dimitri.You're welcome, Dimitris.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (θέλω, νερό) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries θέλω, νερό, CC BY-SA 4.0.
