MATSEC IM Greek flashcards

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

Aorist tense

Greek past tense expressing a completed action, formed from the perfective stem with past endings (e.g., έγραψα). It contrasts with the imperfect, which shows ongoing or habitual past action.

Future continuous

Formed with θα + present indicative (θα γράφω) to express an action that will be ongoing or habitual in the future. Distinct from θα γράψω (future simple).

Subjunctive mood

Introduced by να or για να; uses the dependent form (να γράψω). Expresses wish, purpose, or hypothesis. The negative is μη(ν).

Genitive case

Case marking possession or origin. Masculine -ος → -ου, feminine -η → -ης, neuter -ο → -ου. Also used after certain prepositions and for time (τη νύχτα).

Double negative

Greek uses two negatives for emphasis (Δεν βλέπω τίποτα = I see nothing). In English, use a single negative. Common pairs: δεν + ποτέ, δεν + κανείς.

False friend: συμπαθητικός

Means 'likeable' or 'nice', not 'sympathetic' (which is συμπονετικός). A frequent trap in Greek–English translation.

Formal letter opening

Αξιότιμε κύριε/Αξιότιμη κυρία, followed by a comma. Close with Με εκτίμηση. Used in written production for official correspondence.

Greek Orthodox Easter

Πάσχα is the most important religious festival in Greece, celebrated with midnight church services, lamb, and red eggs. Date often differs from Western Easter.

Dionysios Solomos

19th-century Greek poet from Zakynthos who wrote the Hymn to Liberty (Ύμνος εις την Ελευθερίαν), the first verses of which form the Greek national anthem.

Nobel Greek poets

George Seferis (1963) and Odysseas Elytis (1979) won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Their work is central to modern Greek cultural background.

Skimming questions first

Reading the comprehension questions before the text helps locate key information and identify question types (detail, inference, main idea) efficiently.

Contrast markers

Words like αλλά, όμως, ενώ, ωστόσο signal a contrast. In listening and reading, the answer often follows these markers because they introduce a correction or exception.

Inference question strategy

Choose the option that follows necessarily from the passage, not from general knowledge. Eliminate options that are plausible but not supported by the text.

Cohesive devices

Pronouns (αυτός, εκείνος) and discourse markers (λοιπόν, δηλαδή, ωστόσο) link ideas. Recognising them helps track referents and logical flow in texts.

Formal vs informal address

Greek uses εσείς (formal plural) for strangers, elders, or officials, and εσύ (informal singular) for peers and friends. Verb endings must agree.

Article agreement

The definite article must agree with its noun in gender, number, and case: ο/η/το, του/της/του, τον/την/το, οι/οι/τα, των/των/των, τους/τις/τα.

Aorist passive formation

Typically formed with -θη- or -η- suffix plus active endings: γράφτηκε (was written), αγαπήθηκε (was loved). The passive aorist often corresponds to English simple past passive.

Prepositions and cases

σε, από, με, για, κατά take the accusative. μετά takes accusative for 'after' and genitive for 'with' (formal). παρά takes accusative or genitive depending on meaning.

Conditional sentences

Real conditions use αν + indicative or να + subjunctive. Unreal conditions use αν + past tense and θα + past tense (αν είχα, θα πήγαινα).

Verb aspect

Greek verbs distinguish imperfective (ongoing/habitual) and perfective (completed) stems. The future and subjunctive use either stem to convey aspect.

Translation of aspect

Greek aorist → English simple past or present perfect. Greek imperfect → English past continuous or 'used to'. Choose based on context, not word-for-word.

Idiom translation

Translate idioms by sense, not literally. 'It's raining cats and dogs' → βρέχει καρεκλοπόδαρα. Literal translation produces nonsense.

English phrasal verbs

Often correspond to single Greek verbs: give up = παρατώ, look after = φροντίζω, put off = αναβάλλω. Avoid word-for-word rendering.

Greek article usage

Greek uses the definite article with proper names and abstract nouns more than English: Η Μαρία είναι δασκάλα → Maria is a teacher. Omit in English when not needed.

Passive to active

English passive often becomes Greek active with από or impersonal γίνεται: The book was written by Papadiamantis → Το βιβλίο το έγραψε ο Παπαδιαμάντης.

Register in translation

Preserve formality: English 'you' → εσείς (formal) or εσύ (informal). Check context for relationships between speakers.

Essay structure

Introduction (θέση), body with arguments and examples (επιχειρήματα), conclusion (συμπέρασμα). Use linking words: αρχικά, επιπλέον, ωστόσο, επομένως.

Greek regions

Greece has nine geographic regions: Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus, Thessaly, Central Greece, Attica, Peloponnese, Aegean Islands, and Crete. Capital: Athens.

Historical periods

Key eras: Minoan/Mycenaean, Classical (5th c. BC), Hellenistic (Alexander), Byzantine (330–1453), Ottoman (1453–1821), modern Greek state (1821 onwards).

Greek collocations

Fixed word combinations: κάνω μια βόλτα (take a walk), παίρνω μια απόφαση (make a decision). Using English collocations literally sounds unnatural.

Dialogue address

In written dialogues, use εσύ with peers and εσείς with strangers or elders. Verb endings and pronouns must consistently reflect the chosen register.

Listening for main idea

In summary questions, include only main ideas; supporting details are distractors. Note the speaker's purpose and overall message, not isolated facts.