Learning how to say “yesterday” in Greek can be an exciting step towards mastering the language. Whether you want to use it in formal or informal settings, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the necessary tips and examples. While there are regional variations in usage, we will primarily focus on standard Greek.
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Formal Ways to Say “Yesterday”
In formal situations, it’s important to use the appropriate vocabulary to convey respect and professionalism. Here are a few ways to express “yesterday” formally:
1. “Χθες” (Xthes)
The most commonly used word for “yesterday” is “χθες” (xthes). It is direct and widely understood, making it an ideal choice in formal settings. For instance:
Example: Συναντήθηκα με τον πρόεδρο χθες. (Sinanthithika me ton proedro xthes) – I met the president yesterday.
2. “Χθεσινή” (Xthesini)
Another formal alternative is using the word “χθεσινή” (xthesini), which acts as an adjective. It agrees with the gender and number of the noun it describes. Here’s an example:
Example: Η χθεσινή συνάντηση ήταν πολύ σημαντική. (I xthesini sinantisi itan poli simantiki) – Yesterday’s meeting was very important.
Informal Ways to Say “Yesterday”
When you’re in a casual or informal environment, you can opt for more colloquial expressions. Here are a few informal ways to say “yesterday” in Greek:
1. “Χτες” (Htes)
Similar to the formal “χθες” (xthes), the word “χτες” (htes) is commonly used in everyday conversations. It’s a shorter and more relaxed version of “χθες.” For instance:
Example: Πήγαμε σινεμά χτες. (Pigame sinema htes) – We went to the cinema yesterday.
2. “Χθεκατέβρα” (Xthekatevra)
In some regions of Greece, especially in the northern parts, the word “χθεκατέβρα” (xthekatevra) is used to mean “yesterday.” While less common, it’s important to be aware of regional variations. Here’s an example:
Example: Κάναμε μια εκδρομή χθεκατέβρα. (Kaname mia ekdromi xthekatevra) – We went on a trip yesterday.
Additional Tips and Examples
To further enhance your understanding of how to use the word “yesterday” in Greek, here are some additional tips and examples:
1. Verb Tenses with “Yesterday”
Greek uses different verb tenses to express actions that happened yesterday. Here are a few examples using the present, past, and perfect tenses:
- Present Tense: Συναντάω τους φίλους μου κάθε χθες. (Sinantao tous filous mou kathe xthes) – I meet my friends every yesterday.
- Past Tense: Περπάτησα στο πάρκο χθες. (Perpatisa sto parko xthes) – I walked in the park yesterday.
- Perfect Tense: Έχω μάθει πολλά χθες. (Eho mathei polla xthes) – I have learned a lot yesterday.
2. Time Expressions with “Yesterday”
In Greek, you can combine the word “yesterday” with different time expressions to provide more context. Here are a few examples:
- Προχθές (Prokthes) – The day before yesterday
- Χθες το πρωί (Xthes to proi) – Yesterday morning
- Χθες το μεσημέρι (Xthes to mesimeri) – Yesterday afternoon
3. Days of the Week
Keep in mind that the days of the week in Greek are connected to the word “yesterday” to indicate specific days. Here’s an example:
- Δευτέρα χθες (Deftera xthes) – Last Monday
- Πέμπτη χθες (Pempti xthes) – Last Thursday
Remember, practice is key to mastering any language. Engage in conversations with native Greek speakers or use language learning apps to further familiarize yourself with the usage and pronunciation of “yesterday” and other commonly used words.
