μένω
méno/ˈme.no/
To stay in Greek is μένω (méno).
The verb μένω is used to express the idea of remaining in a particular place. Interestingly, while English distinguishes between staying somewhere temporarily and living somewhere permanently, the Greek verb μένω covers both 'to stay' and 'to live' (to reside).
Meaning: to remain in a particular place (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form μένω is the first person singular present indicative, used to say 'I stay' or 'I am staying'. Other present indicative forms include μένεις for 'you stay' and μένει for 'he/she/it stays'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /ˈme.no/ (méno). It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Greek, if you want to say something 'remains' or is 'left over', such as food after a meal, you use the same verb μένω.
- The word μένω is inherited from the Ancient Greek μένω, which comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *men-.
- In some Greek dialects and older forms of the language, μένω is tied to the idea of 'waiting' or 'expecting'.
Examples in context
- Σήμερα μένω στο σπίτι.I will stay home today.This sentence is useful for saying that you are staying home today using μένω.Tatoeba #699020 by promemoria, translation #697564 by kroko
- Παρακαλώ μείνετεPlease stay
- Παρακαλώ παραμείνετε εδώPlease stay here
- Μείνε εδώ μέχρι να γυρίσωStay here until I come back
- Παιδιά, μείνετε εδώ να περάσουμε ώραGuys, stay here so we can hang out
- Μένω στο ξενοδοχείο.Meno sto xenodocheio.I am staying at the hotel.
Example conversation
Giorgos and Eleni are deciding where to spend the weekend.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΠού θα πας το Σαββατοκύριακο, Ελένη;Pou tha pas to Savvatokyriako, Eleni?Where will you go this weekend, Eleni?
- Ελένη EleniΔεν θα πάω πουθενά, μένω στην πόλη.Den tha pao pouthena, meno stin poli.I won't go anywhere, I'm staying in the city.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΘέλεις να βγούμε για καφέ τότε;Thelis na vgoume gia kafe tote?Do you want to go for coffee then?
- Ελένη EleniΝαι, είναι μια πολύ καλή ιδέα!Nai, einai mia poly kali idea!Yes, that is a very good idea!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stay” translations and entries μένω, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries μένω, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
