Κάτσε
kátsecasual, Cyprus
To tell one person to sit in Cyprus, say Κάτσε (kátse). It is the everyday spoken command, and Καθίστε (kathíste) is the polite or plural form. It is also called Κάτσε κάτω (kátse káto).
Meaning: ask someone to sit down (verb)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Κάτσε | kátse | casual, Cyprus |
| Κάτσε κάτω | kátse káto | casual |
| Καθίστε | kathíste | polite |
Κάτσε is for one friend, a child or a relative. Κάτσε κάτω (kátse káto) adds "down" and sounds a little more insistent.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Καθίστε (kathíste) is for older people, guests you do not know well or a group.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Cypriot Greek is a spoken dialect, and in writing Cypriots use standard Greek, so the spelling is the same in Cyprus and in Athens.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both forms are commands. Κάτσε belongs to the spoken verb κάθομαι (káthomai), "to sit", and Καθίστε is the more formal command from the same verb.
Did you know?
- Καθίστε is also what a speaker says to a whole audience, for example at the start of a class or a meeting.
Examples in context
- Κάτσε εδώ, Γιάννη.Kátse edó, Giánni.Sit here, Giannis.
- Καθίστε, παρακαλώ.Kathíste, parakaló.Please sit down.
- Κάτσε κάτω και φάε.Kátse káto kai fáe.Sit down and eat.
Example conversation
Maria welcomes her guest Petros into her living room in Nicosia.
- Μαρία MariaΚαλώς ήρθες, Πέτρο. Κάτσε εδώ.Kalós írthes, Pétro. Kátse edó.Welcome, Petros. Sit here.
- PetrosΕυχαριστώ, Μαρία.Efcharistó, María.Thank you, Maria.
- Μαρία MariaΘα φέρω καφέ.Thaféro kafé.I will bring coffee.
