How to Form Questions in Greek for English Speakers

Understanding Question Formation in Greek

Forming questions in Greek is essential for everyday communication. Unlike English, Greek uses specific question words and intonation patterns to indicate a question. This article will guide English speakers through the basics of forming questions in Greek.

Yes/No Questions in Greek

Yes/no questions in Greek can be formed simply by changing the intonation of a statement or by using question words. Often, the word order remains the same as in a statement, but the voice rises at the end to indicate a question.

For example, the statement Είσαι καλά. means "You are well." To ask "Are you well?" you say Είσαι καλά; with a rising intonation.

Common Greek Question Words

Greek has several question words that are used to ask for specific information. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Τι; (What?)
• Ποιος; (Who?)
• Πού; (Where?)
• Πότε; (When?)
• Γιατί; (Why?)
• Πώς; (How?)

Forming Questions with Question Words

When using question words, the question word usually comes at the beginning of the sentence, similar to English. The verb and subject follow, but the word order can be flexible depending on emphasis.

For example: Πού είναι το βιβλίο; means "Where is the book?"

Using Question Tags in Greek

Greek also uses question tags like δεν είναι; or σωστά; at the end of statements to turn them into questions, similar to English tags like "isn't it?" or "right?"

Example: Είναι ωραία μέρα, σωστά; means "It's a nice day, right?"

Practice Examples of Questions in Greek