σε εμάς
se emás
The English phrase "to us" is translated into Greek as σε εμάς (se emás).
σε εμάς is used to indicate that the speaker and others are the recipients of an action or object.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the preposition σε (meaning "to" or "in") and the accusative form of the first-person plural pronoun εμάς (meaning "us").
How do you pronounce it?
se emás
Did you know?
- In casual conversation, Greeks rarely say σε εμάς and instead use the unstressed pronoun μας. The full phrase σε εμάς is typically used only for strong emphasis or contrast.
- The preposition σε is a doublet of the Ancient Greek word εις, meaning they are two different words that evolved from the same source.
- While 'to us' is σε εμάς, if you are addressing a group of people to say 'to us' in a formal, poetic, or religious way, you might use the word ἡμῖν instead.
Examples in context
- Στείλε το έγγραφο προς εμάς.Send the document to us.
- Έχετε κάτι να πείτε προς εμάς;Do you have something to say to us?
Example conversation
George and Eleni are talking to a waiter at a restaurant.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΦέρτε τον λογαριασμό σε εμάς, παρακαλώ.Ferte ton logariasmo se emas, parakalo.Bring the bill to us, please.
- Ελένη EleniΦυσικά, θα τον φέρω τώρα.Fysika, tha ton fero tora.Of course, I will bring it now.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΘέλουμε να πληρώσουμε μαζί.Theloume na plyrosoume mazi.We want to pay together.
- Ελένη EleniΈγινε, θα έρθω σε ένα λεπτό.Egine, tha ertho se ena lepto.Done, I will be back in a minute.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries σε, CC BY-SA 4.0.
