πώς να το πεις αυτό στα ελληνικά
pos na to peis afto sta ellinika
The English phrase "how to say this in Greek" is translated into Greek as πώς να το πεις αυτό στα ελληνικά (pos na to peis afto sta ellinika).
This phrase is used as a question to ask for the translation of a specific word or phrase into the Greek language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of Πώς (how), αυτό (this) and στα ελληνικά (in Greek).
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify the phrase to change the tone or focus. Replacing the second-person singular πεις (you say) with the first-person plural πούμε (we say) to form πώς να το πούμε αυτό στα ελληνικά makes the question sound more natural and less direct. For a more common and slightly more formal approach, you can use the passive form πώς λέγεται αυτό στα ελληνικά, which literally means "how is this said in Greek".
How do you pronounce it?
pos na to peis afto sta ellinika
Did you know?
- Greek uses the verb λέγομαι (to be called) in the phrase πώς λέγεται αυτό rather than a verb for speaking. This treats the word as something that possesses a name rather than something a person says.
- The word ελληνικά for the Greek language is derived from the name of the ancient people, the Hellenes. While many languages name a language after a country or a tribe, Greek uses this ancient ethnic designation.
- While ελληνικά means 'Greek' in this context, the word is actually the neuter plural form of an adjective. It describes the 'Greek things' or 'Greek words' being spoken.
Example conversation
A student is asking a friend for help with a word.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΚυριακή, πώς να το πεις αυτό στα ελληνικά;Kyriakí, pós na to peis aftó sta elliniká?Kyriaki, how do you say this in Greek?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠοιο слово εννοείς, Γιώργο;Poio slovo ennoís, Giórgo?Which word do you mean, Giorgos?
- Γιώργος GiorgosΑυτή τη φράση εδώ στο βιβλίο.Aftí ti phrási edó sto vivlío.This phrase here in the book.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΑυτό το λέμε απλά «γεια».Aftó to léme aplá "yeia".We simply say 'yeia' for that.
