είναι
eínai
The English phrase 'is' is translated into Greek as είναι (eínai).
Which one should you use?
The word εστίν is used for 'is' in formal and archaic contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Greek, the third-person singular form είναι can also function as the third-person plural form 'are' depending on the subject.
How do you pronounce it?
eínai
Did you know?
- Modern Greek has a separate noun είναι that translates to 'being' or 'existence'. This usage was influenced by a semantic loan from the German word 'Sein'.
- The word είναι is part of a verb system where the subject is often omitted entirely because the verb ending tells the listener who 'is' being discussed.
- Greek uses the word είναι to create a 'passive' sense in some constructions that English would translate using 'is' plus a past participle.
Examples in context
- Ο Τομ είναι εδώ.Tom is here.This sentence shows how to use είναι to indicate a person's location.Tatoeba #5454084 by Zeus, translation #2202940 by CK
- Πού είναι η Λόρι;Where is Laurie?This sentence demonstrates using είναι to ask about someone's location.Tatoeba #2499498 by Zeus, translation #2499490 by CN
- Η ζωή είναι ωραία.Life is beautiful.This sentence illustrates using είναι to describe a quality of life.Tatoeba #1833658 by glavkos, translation #1829 by CK
- Ο Γιάννης είναι δικηγόρος.John is a lawyer.
- Η Μαρία είναι φοιτήτρια.Maria is a student.
- Ο καφές ζεστός;Is the coffee hot?
- 2966 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kyriaki and Nikos are talking about a new movie.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΗ ταινία είναι πολύ καλή.I tainía eínai polý kalí.The movie is very good.
- Νίκος NikosΠού είναι το σινεμά;Poú eínai to sinemá?Where is the cinema?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕίναι δίπλα στην πλατεία.Eínai dípla stin plateía.It is next to the square.
- Νίκος NikosΤέλεια, πάμε τώρα.Téleia, páme tóra.Great, let's go now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries είναι, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
