εμείς
emeís/eˈmis/
The Greek word for 'we' is εμείς (emeís).
εμείς is a generic 'we' used to refer to the speaker and at least one other person, regardless of whether the person being addressed is included in that group. While it is a valid word, it is often omitted in natural Greek speech because the verb conjugation itself already indicates the first-person plural. Including εμείς is typically done to add emphasis or to provide contrast, signaling that 'we' (and not someone else) are the ones performing the action.
Meaning: generic we (the speaker and at least one other person, regardless of whether it's the person being addressed) (pron)
How does it change in a sentence?
εμείς is the nominative subject pronoun used for 'we'. When you need to use 'us' as a direct or indirect object, this pronoun changes to the accusative form εμάς.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is emeís and the IPA is /eˈmis/.
Did you know?
- Because the verb already tells you who is speaking, using εμείς can sometimes sound aggressively confrontational or overly defensive depending on the tone.
- In the phrase εμείς οι Έλληνες meaning 'we Greeks', the pronoun εμείς is almost always used for nationalistic or collective identity emphasis.
- The word εμείς descends from the Ancient Greek ἡμεῖς, which was used in some of the most influential philosophical texts in Western history.
Examples in context
- Ο λαός είμαστε εμείς.We are the people.This sentence shows how εμείς functions as the subject in a sentence about the people.Tatoeba #2412274 by glavkos, translation #566390 by Nylez
- Εμείς συλλάβαμε τον Τομ.We arrested Tom.This sentence demonstrates the use of εμείς as the subject of the verb 'arrested'.Tatoeba #5430576 by Zeus, translation #2240288 by CK
- Εμείς κοιμηθήκαμε χτες όλη μέρα.We slept all day yesterday.This sentence illustrates εμείς being used as the subject for the action of sleeping.Tatoeba #2363368 by mululatv, translation #9231865 by Nylez
- Εμείς αναλαμβάνουμε την ευθύνη.We take responsibility.
- Εμείς τι παίρνουμε για να φάμε?What are we getting to eat?
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and George are deciding where to eat dinner.
- Μαρία MariaΠού θα φάμε σήμερα;Pou tha fame simera?Where will we eat today?
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕμείς θέλουμε πίτσα.Emeis theloume pitsa.We want pizza.
- Μαρία MariaΕντάξει, ας πάμε στο κέντρο.Entaxei, as pame sto kentro.Okay, let's go to the center.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΣυμφωνώ, πάμε τώρα.Symfono, pame tora.I agree, let's go now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “we” translations and entries εμείς, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries εμείς, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
