τι ώρα είναι;
ti ora einai?
To ask "what time is it?" in Greek, say τι ώρα είναι.
τι ώρα είναι is the standard question for asking someone the current time of day.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "what hour is (it)?" τι means "what", ώρα means "hour" or "time" and είναι means "is".
Which one should you use?
Τι ώρα έχεις is an informal way to ask, literally "What time do you have?"
How does it change in a sentence?
ώρα is a feminine noun, but it does not change its form in this question.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced ti ora einai?
Did you know?
- The word ώρα is an ancient relative of the English word 'year', both tracing back to a root meaning 'season'.
- In very formal or old-fashioned Greek, the question might be phrased using πόση instead of τι, asking 'how much hour is it?' rather than 'what hour is it?'
- In some traditional Greek villages, the concept of ώρα was historically tied to the position of the sun or church bells rather than a mechanical clock.
Examples in context
- Γεια σου! Γεια! Τι ώρα έχεις. Έχω πέντε και μισή.Hi! Hi! What time do you have? I have five thirty.
- Συγγνώμη, τι ώρα είναι;Sygnómi, ti óra eínai;Excuse me, what time is it?
Example conversation
Giorgos asks Anastasia for the time during a walk.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΑναστασία, τι ώρα είναι;Anastasia, ti óra eínai;Anastasia, what time is it?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕίναι δώδεκα και δέκα.Eínai dódeka kai déka.It is twelve ten.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕυχαριστώ πολύ.Efcharistó polý.Thank you very much.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΠαρακαλώ.Parakaló.You're welcome.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries τι, ώρα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
