Greek for English speakers House · Lesson 5

Describing someone

Describe someone in Greek — Ο Pishi δεν είναι πολύ γλυκούλης; (Isn't Pishi very cute?) — using diminutive γλυκούλης.

Conversation

  1. Cassian Cassian

    Μαμά, ο Pishi δεν είναι πολύ γλυκούλης;

    Mama, o pishi dhen ine poli glikulis?

    Mum, Pishi is very cute, isn't he?

  2. Yennifer Yennifer

    Ναι, όντως

    Ne, ondos

    Yes, it's true.

  3. Cassian Cassian

    Είναι και πολύ μαλακός

    Ine ke poli malakos

    He is very soft too!

    Tip: the word "και" in greek although it means "and", is also used as "too" or "also"

  4. Yennifer Yennifer

    Έχεις δίκιο. Είναι πολύ μαλακός

    Ehyis dhikio. Ine poli malakos

    You're right. He is really soft.

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

Why use δεν είναι ...; for emphasis?

Negative-form questions often soften the assertion: Δεν είναι ωραία; = 'isn't it lovely?'. Implies expectation of agreement.

What is γλυκούλης?

'Cute / sweet little one'. Diminutive of γλυκός (sweet). -ούλης / -ούλα is a common affectionate suffix.

Όντως?

'Indeed / truly'. Confirmation: Ναι, όντως = 'yes, indeed'. Common Greek conversational marker.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Greek lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.