Understanding Greek Noun Declensions: The First Declension Explained

What Are Greek Noun Declensions?

In Greek, nouns change their endings based on their role in a sentence. These changes are called declensions. Understanding declensions is essential for reading and writing Greek correctly.

Introduction to the First Declension

The first declension primarily includes feminine nouns and some masculine nouns. These nouns typically end in -η or -α in the nominative singular form.

Characteristics of First Declension Nouns

First declension nouns are recognized by their endings and follow specific patterns for different cases such as nominative, genitive, dative, and accusative.

First Declension Endings Overview

Here is a summary of the common endings for first declension nouns in the singular and plural forms.

• Nominative Singular: -η or -α
• Genitive Singular: -ης or -ας
• Dative Singular: -ῃ or -ᾳ
• Accusative Singular: -ην or -αν
• Nominative Plural: -αι
• Genitive Plural: -ῶν
• Dative Plural: -αις
• Accusative Plural: -ας

Examples of First Declension Nouns

Declension of θεά (theá) - Goddess

1. Nominative Singular: θεά
2. Genitive Singular: θεᾶς
3. Dative Singular: θεᾷ
4. Accusative Singular: θεάν
5. Nominative Plural: θεαί
6. Genitive Plural: θεῶν
7. Dative Plural: θεαῖς
8. Accusative Plural: θεάς

Tips for Learning First Declension Nouns

Practice by memorizing the endings and applying them to different nouns. Pay attention to the gender and stem changes that may occur.