HSC Modern Greek Continuers flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Greek noun cases

Modern Greek nouns decline for nominative, genitive, accusative and vocative. The article agrees in gender, number and case, so ο δάσκαλος becomes του δασκάλου in the genitive.

Present active endings

Active present verbs take -ω, -εις, -ει, -ουμε, -ετε, -ουν(ε). For example γράφω, γράφεις, γράφει, γράφουμε, γράφετε, γράφουν; the stem stays constant and only the ending changes.

Future with θα

The future is formed with θα plus the subjunctive form of the verb: θα γράψω for a completed future action, θα γράφω for a habitual or ongoing one. Θα never takes an augment.

Negative δεν versus μην

Δεν negates the indicative (δεν πάμε, δεν ήρθε). Μην negates the subjunctive and imperatives (να μην πάμε, μην το κάνεις). Choosing the wrong particle is a common error.

Weak object pronouns

Clitic pronouns like μου, σου, το, τον, την, μας, σας, τους precede the verb in statements (μου το έδωσε) but follow affirmative imperatives (δώσε μου το).

Aorist stem change

Many verbs change stem between present and aorist: γράφω becomes έγραψα, βλέπω becomes είδα, τρώω becomes έφαγα. The aorist marks a completed action in the past.

Imperfect formation

The imperfect uses the present stem with past endings and usually an initial augment: έγραφα, έγραφες, έγραφε, γράφαμε, γράφατε, έγραφαν. It describes ongoing or repeated past situations.

Question words in listening

Ποιος asks who, πού asks where, πότε asks when, γιατί asks why, πώς asks how and πόσο asks how much. The question word tells you exactly which detail to listen for.

Telling the half hour

Greek expresses half past with και μισή: τρεις και μισή is 3:30. Quarter past is και τέταρτο and quarter to is παρά τέταρτο, for example εννέα παρά τέταρτο.

Formal versus informal address

Use of εσείς and σας signals formal address; εσύ and σου signal informal address. Answers and follow-up questions must keep the same register as the speaker.

Discourse markers in audio

Λοιπόν signals a transition, δηλαδή a clarification, όμως and αλλά a contrast, επομένως a conclusion, and πρώτα/έπειτα a sequence. They reveal how ideas are organised.

Note-taking targets

While listening, record numbers, times, names, places and evaluative words such as θετικός or αρνητικός. Questions often ask for the speaker's attitude rather than a stated fact.

Dates in Greek

Dates use the accusative ordinal with the article: την πρώτη Μαΐου, στις δέκα Μαρτίου. Months are masculine nouns, and στις is followed by the genitive of the month.

Recognising text types

An αγγελία is short with contact details, an επιστολή has greeting and closing, an άρθρο has headline and lead, and a πρόσκληση states event, date, place and reply request.

Cause and result connectors

Επειδή and γιατί introduce cause, ώστε introduces result, αν introduces condition, ενώ marks contrast and παρόλο που marks concession. They map the logic of a passage.

Tense cues in reading

Ενεστώτας covers present and habitual action, αόριστος a completed past, παρατατικός an ongoing past, and θα plus verb the future. Tense locates the passage in time.

Resolving unknown words

Identify the word's part of speech from its article and position, then use the sentence topic and repeated key words to infer meaning. Cognates with English often confirm the guess.

Scanning versus skimming

Skimming uses titles, first sentences and repeated words to get the gist. Scanning targets numbers, capitalised names and dates. Match the strategy to what the question asks.

Formal letter frame

Open with Αξιότιμε κύριε or Αξιότιμη κυρία plus surname, write the body in plural address with σας and εσείς, and close with Με εκτίμηση plus your name.

Informal letter frame

Open with Αγαπητέ or Αγαπητή plus first name, use singular address with σου and εσύ, and close with Με αγάπη or Φιλικά plus your name.

Opinion text structure

State a thesis, give two or three arguments linked by καταρχάς, επιπλέον and τέλος, then close with Συμπερασματικά. Each argument needs a supporting reason.

Narrative past tenses

Use παρατατικός for background description and αόριστος for sequenced events, linked by χθες, τότε, μετά and τελικά. Mixing them without purpose weakens the narrative.

Persuasive language devices

Πρέπει να, Θα ήταν καλό να and Σας παρακαλώ να express obligation and request, while evaluative adjectives such as απαραίτητος or σημαντικός strengthen the argument.

Text-type conventions

An αγγελία omits greetings, a πρόσκληση gives date, place and a request for reply, and a ημερολόγιο uses first person with dates. Conventions are part of the marking criteria.

Turn-taking phrases

Λοιπόν, Ναι βέβαια, Α κατάλαβα and Και κάτι άλλο keep a conversation moving. They signal that you are following the speaker and wish to continue.

Asking for clarification

Ξαναλέτε το παρακαλώ, Τι εννοείτε με and Μπορείτε να το επαναλάβετε are repair strategies. Using them maintains the interaction instead of stopping it.

Expressing an opinion

Κατά τη γνώμη μου, Νομίζω ότι and Προσωπικά πιστεύω πως introduce a view, which should be followed by a reason with γιατί or επειδή.

Hedged disagreement

Δεν είμαι σίγουρος or σίγουρη, Από την άλλη πλευρά and Μάλλον διαφωνώ soften disagreement. Unhedged contradiction sounds abrupt in formal discussion.

Stress changes meaning

Stress placement distinguishes words such as πότε (when) from ποτέ (never) and νόμος (law) from νομός (prefecture). Written accents mark stress and must be reproduced in writing.

Ohi Day

28 Οκτωβρίου commemorates Greece's refusal of the Italian ultimatum in 1940. It is a national holiday marked by parades and school celebrations.

Greek Easter customs

Πάσχα is the major Orthodox festival, usually on a different date from Western Easter. The midnight liturgy, the greeting Χριστός Ανέστη and the family meal are central.

Name days and greetings

Η γιορτή marks the feast day of a person's name saint and is often celebrated more than a birthday. The standard greeting is Χρόνια Πολλά.