θα ήθελα
tha ithela
The English phrase "I would like" is expressed in Greek as θα ήθελα (tha ithela).
θα ήθελα is used to politely express a wish or to make a request.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the particle θα, which indicates the future or conditional mood and ήθελα, which is the imperfect form of the verb meaning "want".
Which one should you use?
While θέλω (I want) is grammatically correct, θα ήθελα (I would like) is the preferred, more polite way to make requests, particularly in settings like restaurants or shops.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to express "I would like to [do something]", you must place the particle να before the verb, forming θα ήθελα να. If you are requesting a noun instead of an action, use θα ήθελα followed by the noun and its appropriate indefinite article, such as θα ήθελα ένα/μία.
How do you pronounce it?
tha ithela
Did you know?
- The word θα is essentially a fossil of an ancient contraction of 'I wish that I may'.
- In Greek, the polite θα ήθελα is conceptually a 'time travel' trick, using the imperfect tense to create a psychological distance that softens the request.
- Using the direct θέλω instead of θα ήθελα can make a polite request sound like a blunt command to a native speaker.
Examples in context
- Θα ήθελα να το δω.I would like to see it.This sentence shows how to express a desire to see something using θα ήθελα.Tatoeba #3688696 by glavkos, translation #41846 by CK
- Θα ήθελα να σε βοηθήσω.I would like to help you.This sentence demonstrates how to express a desire to help someone using θα ήθελα.Tatoeba #5414505 by Zeus, translation #2275532 by Dejo
- Θα ήθελα να πάω στη Γαλλία.I would like to go to France.This sentence illustrates expressing a desire to go somewhere using θα ήθελα.Tatoeba #5405317 by Zeus, translation #34172 by CN
- Θα ήθελα ένα καφέ, παρακαλώ.I would like a coffee, please.
- Θα ήθελα να πάρω ένα εισιτήριο, παρακαλώ.I would like to buy a ticket, please.
- Θα ήθελα μία μπύρα, παρακαλώ.I would like a beer, please.
- Θα ήθελα ένα ψωμί, παρακαλώ.I would like a bread, please.
- Θα ήθελα ένα κρασί, παρακαλώ.I would like a glass of wine, please.
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries θα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
