απαρέμφατο
aparémfatoneuter
The English word 'infinitive' is translated into Greek as απαρέμφατο (aparémfato).
The term refers to an uninflected verb form (noun).
Meaning: uninflected verb form (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of the prefix α– (without) and πέμφω (to send/put), literally meaning 'not sent' or 'not placed' (referring to the lack of inflection/mood/person).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a neuter noun. The plural form of the neuter noun απαρέμφατο is απαρέμφατα.
How do you pronounce it?
aparémfato
Did you know?
- Modern Greek has essentially lost the απαρέμφατο as a functioning verb form in speech. To express an infinitive, Greeks usually use a particle like να followed by a conjugated verb.
- Despite being mostly absent from speech, the απαρέμφατο remains the standard way every verb is listed in Greek dictionaries.
- In ancient Greek grammar, the απαρέμφατο was often described as a 'verbal noun', occupying a unique space between a verb and a noun.
Examples in context
- ένα ρήμα στο απαρέμφατοA verb in the infinitiveThis sentence illustrates how to refer to a verb in the απαρέμφατο form.
- Η προστακτική στα αγγλικά είναι ακριβώς όπως και το απαρέμφατο.The imperative in English is exactly like the infinitive.This sentence compares the English imperative to the απαρέμφατο.Tatoeba #9440721 by Nylez, translation #9474792 by Nylez
- Το απαρέμφατο του ρήματος "αγαπώ" είναι "να αγαπώ"The infinitive of the verb "love" is "to love."
- Το να ταξιδεύεις είναι εμπειρία.Traveling is an experience.
- Πρέπει να μάθεις Ελληνικά.You must learn Greek.
- Είναι δύσκολο να αντιληφθείς την κατάσταση.It is difficult to understand the situation.
- Δεν μπορώ να βρω το απαρέμφατο αυτής της λέξης.Den boro na vro to aparémfato aftís tis léxis.I cannot find the infinitive of this word.
Example conversation
Nikos and Anastasia are studying grammar together.
- Νίκος NikosΠού είναι το απαρέμφατο εδώ;Poú eínai to aparémfato edó?Where is the infinitive here?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕίναι η πρώτη λέξη της πρότασης.Eínai i próti léxi tis prótasis.It is the first word of the sentence.
- Νίκος NikosΆρα το απαρέμφατο είναι αυτό;Ára to aparémfato eínai aftó?So this is the infinitive?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝαι, Νίκο, το βρήκες.Ne, Níko, to vríkes.Yes, Nikos, you found it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “infinitive” translations and entries απαρέμφατο, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
