αγάπα τον εαυτό σου
To say "love yourself" in Greek, you use αγάπα τον εαυτό σου.
The phrase αγάπα τον εαυτό σου can be used informally as an everyday expression of self-care.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb αγάπα (love), the accusative masculine article τον (the), the noun εαυτό (self) and the reflexive pronoun σου (your/yourself).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form αγάπα τον εαυτό σου is the present imperative (a continuous or general command). In contrast, αγάπησε τον εαυτό σου uses the aorist imperative, which would imply a single, completed act of loving oneself. To address a group of people or to use a formal tone, you must change the pronoun and verb to the plural/formal forms αγαπήστε and σας, resulting in αγαπήστε τον εαυτό σας.
Did you know?
- Ancient Greek philosophers often debated the idea of 'philautia', or self-love. They distinguished between 'healthy' self-love and 'hubristic' self-love, a nuance that still informs how Greeks perceive the concept today.
- While αγάπα is the verb for 'love', Greek has several distinct words for love. The word αγάπη (agape) specifically refers to unconditional or selfless love, which is the root of the verb used in αγάπα τον εαυτό σου.
- The article τον in this phrase is a descendant of the Ancient Greek word τό. It shares a distant linguistic root with the Polish word 'ten', the Czech 'ten' and the Slovak 'ten'.
Examples in context
- Αγάπησε τον εαυτό σου χωρίς όρια και περιορισμούς.Love yourself without limits and restrictions.
- Κάνε ό,τι σε κάνει ευτυχισμένο και αγάπα τον εαυτό σου.Do what makes you happy and love yourself.
Example conversation
Anastasia is giving friendly advice to Nikos.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΦαίνεται ότι είσαι πολύ σκληρός μαζί σου.Fainetai oti eisai poly skliros mazi sou.It seems that you are too hard on yourself.
- Νίκος NikosΈχω πολλά λάθη στη ζωή μου.Echo polla lathi sti zoi mou.I have many mistakes in my life.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΑγάπα τον εαυτό σου παρά τα λάθη.Agapa ton eafto sou para ta lathi.Love yourself despite the mistakes.
- Νίκος NikosΈχεις δίκιο, θα το προσπαθήσω.Echeis dikio, tha to prospathiso.You are right, I will try.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries σου, τον, CC BY-SA 4.0.
