Ειρήνη υμίν
eiríni ymín
Ειρήνη υμίν (eiríni ymín) is the Greek way to say "peace be with you".
Ειρήνη υμίν is a formal greeting or blessing used to wish someone peace. It is primarily used in religious or liturgical settings, such as during an Orthodox Christian service.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun Ειρήνη (peace) and the pronoun υμίν (to you/unto you).
Which one should you use?
While Ειρήνη υμίν addresses a group or a person formally, Ειρήνη σοι is the singular version used to address one person informally or directly.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrasing Ειρήνη υμίν uses archaic or Koine Greek structures, making it sound highly formal, liturgical or biblical rather than a common modern greeting. The phrase Η ειρήνη να είναι μαζί σας is another way to express the formal meaning "Peace Be With You".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word υμίν is the dative plural form of the second-person pronoun, used here to address multiple people or to show formal respect.
How do you pronounce it?
eiríni ymín
Did you know?
- The word Ειρήνη is a very common female given name in Greece, similar to how 'Hope' or 'Faith' are used as names in English.
- The word Ειρήνη is the name of the ancient Greek goddess of peace. In classical times, one might have invoked the goddess herself rather than the abstract concept.
- The pronoun υμίν belongs to a grammatical case called the dative, which has almost entirely disappeared from modern spoken Greek and exists now mainly in religious texts.
Examples in context
- Ειρήνη υμίν, αγαπητοί μου αδελφοί.Eiríni ymín, agapitoí mou adelfoí.Peace be with you, my dear brothers.
- Ειρήνη υμίν σε αυτό το σπίτι.Eiríni ymín se aftó to spíti.Peace be with you in this house.
Example conversation
Maria and Nikos meet inside a church.
- Μαρία MariaΕιρήνη υμίν, Νίκο.Eiríni ymín, Níko.Peace be with you, Nikos.
- Νίκος NikosΚαι υμίν, Μαρία.Kai ymín, María.And with you, Maria.
- Μαρία MariaΕίστε καλά σήμερα;Eíste kalá símera?Are you doing well today?
- Νίκος NikosΝαι, ευχαριστώ πολύ.Nai, efcharistó polý.Yes, thank you very much.
