How to Form Questions in Greek for English Speakers

Understanding Question Formation in Greek

Forming questions in Greek involves using specific question words and sometimes changing the intonation of a sentence. Unlike English, Greek questions often rely on word order and question particles to indicate that a sentence is a question.

Yes/No Questions in Greek

Yes/no questions in Greek can be formed by simply raising the intonation at the end of a statement, similar to English. For example, the statement Είσαι καλά. means "You are well." To ask "Are you well?" you say Είσαι καλά; with a rising intonation.

Alternatively, you can use the question particle μήπως at the beginning of a sentence to indicate a yes/no question, adding a polite or tentative tone.

Common Greek Question Words

Greek has several question words that are essential for forming questions. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Τι (Ti) – What
• Ποιος / Ποια / Ποιο (Pios / Pia / Pio) – Who (masculine/feminine/neuter)
• Πού (Pou) – Where
• Πότε (Pote) – When
• Γιατί (Giati) – Why
• Πώς (Pos) – How
• Πόσος / Πόση / Πόσο (Posos / Posi / Poso) – How much / How many

Forming Questions with Question Words

To form a question with a question word, place the question word at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the verb and subject. For example:

• Τι κάνεις; (Ti kaneis?) – What are you doing?
• Πού μένεις; (Pou meneis?) – Where do you live?
• Πότε έρχεσαι; (Pote erchesai?) – When are you coming?

Intonation and Punctuation in Greek Questions

In written Greek, questions end with a semicolon (;) instead of a question mark (?). This is important to recognize when reading Greek texts.

In spoken Greek, intonation rises at the end of a question, signaling that the sentence is a question even if the word order is similar to a statement.

Examples of Questions in Greek with English Translations