How to Conjugate Regular Verbs in the Greek Present Tense

Understanding the Greek Present Tense for Regular Verbs

The present tense in Greek is used to describe actions that are currently happening or habitual actions, similar to English. Regular verbs in Greek follow specific patterns depending on their verb group, making conjugation predictable once you learn the rules.

The Three Verb Groups in Greek

Greek regular verbs are divided into three main groups based on their infinitive endings: -ω (-o), -άω (-áo), and -ώ (-ó). Each group has its own conjugation pattern in the present tense.

Conjugating Regular Greek Verbs in the Present Tense

Let's look at how to conjugate regular verbs from each group in the present tense. We'll use the verbs γράφω (to write), αγαπάω (to love), and πετώ (to fly) as examples.

First Group: Verbs Ending in -ω (e.g., γράφω)

For verbs ending in -ω, the present tense endings are added to the verb stem by removing the -ω ending.

• Εγώ γράφω (I write)
• Εσύ γράφεις (You write)
• Αυτός/Αυτή/Αυτό γράφει (He/She/It writes)
• Εμείς γράφουμε (We write)
• Εσείς γράφετε (You all write)
• Αυτοί/Αυτές/Αυτά γράφουν(ε) (They write)

Second Group: Verbs Ending in -άω (e.g., αγαπάω)

For verbs ending in -άω, the stem is formed by removing -ω, and the endings are similar but with slight vowel changes.

• Εγώ αγαπάω (I love)
• Εσύ αγαπάς (You love)
• Αυτός/Αυτή/Αυτό αγαπά (He/She/It loves)
• Εμείς αγαπάμε (We love)
• Εσείς αγαπάτε (You all love)
• Αυτοί/Αυτές/Αυτά αγαπάνε (They love)

Third Group: Verbs Ending in -ώ (e.g., πετώ)

For verbs ending in -ώ, the conjugation is similar to the first group but with some vowel changes in the stem.

• Εγώ πετώ (I fly)
• Εσύ πετάς (You fly)
• Αυτός/Αυτή/Αυτό πετά (He/She/It flies)
• Εμείς πετάμε (We fly)
• Εσείς πετάτε (You all fly)
• Αυτοί/Αυτές/Αυτά πετούν (They fly)

Pronouns in Greek Present Tense Conjugation

Greek verbs are conjugated differently for each person. Here are the Greek subject pronouns you should know:

• Εγώ (I)
• Εσύ (You singular)
• Αυτός/Αυτή/Αυτό (He/She/It)
• Εμείς (We)
• Εσείς (You plural/formal)
• Αυτοί/Αυτές/Αυτά (They)

Tips for Learning Greek Present Tense Conjugation

Mastering regular verb conjugation in the present tense is a great foundation for learning Greek. Here are some tips to help you:

• Practice conjugating verbs from each group regularly.
• Listen to native speakers to get familiar with pronunciation.
• Use flashcards to memorize verb endings and pronouns.
• Try forming simple sentences using the present tense.
• Be patient and consistent with your practice.