Γεια σας! This post is about nouns. Nouns can be formed or derive by other nouns, verbs, adjectives and numbers. Today we will see how we can form nouns by verbs. If you want to know more about nouns, you can read this.   Photo by pina messina on Unsplash   The nouns formed by verbs can mean: 1. The person who does the action. They can take the following endings: –της: ράβω → ράφτης / to sew, tailor –ιστής: υπολογίζω → υπολογιστής / to calculate, computer –έας: κουρεύω → κουρέας / to cut one’s hair, barber   2. The action or the effect of an action ..read more

Γεια σας! Today we will take a break from the Greek culture and we will meet a man from Κούβα (Cuba) who lives permanently in Athens. The man will cook a Picadillo a la Habanera and he will also make a mojito. Watch the following video (10:03 minutes) of the show “Στην κουζίνα των μεταναστών” and state whether the sentences are σωστές (Σ) or λάθος (Λ) (Τrue or False). The video is suitable for advanced students. (B2 to C1 level). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctpAuPKLHIc 10 Δεκεμβρίου 2015, κανάλι EΡΤ   1. Το όνομα “Γιολέξις” δεν είναι κουβανικό. 2 ..read more

Today in Greece we celebrate την Ημέρα της Γυναίκας (International Women’s Day ). However, the general mood is not festive, as the present war creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear. This is probably the right time to talk about της ιστορία της Λυσιστράτης (the story of Lysistrata). Photo by Uta Scholl on Unsplash Aristophanes was the most important κωμικός ποιητής (comedy writer) στην Αρχαία Ελλάδα. He was born in Athens, around 446 BC, at the time when the construction of Παρθενώνας (the Parthenon) began, in the area which is known today as Πλάκα (Plaka ..read more

In the last years many people in Greece have been showing interest in any kind of seminars. In this post, there is a reading comprehension exercise suitable for intermediate and upper-intermediate learners. Read the description of 5 different seminars and mark (Χ) on the table, the information we have. You must have 16 marks (the example is not counted). If you like quizzes, you can check this vocabulary quiz. You can find tests for B1 students here. Photo by Darling Arias on Unsplash Σεμινάριο 1 ..read more

The prepositions used in daily life are taught at an early stage. When Greek learners deepen their progress, they start using prepositions from ancient Greek or from καθαρεύουσα (katharevousa). Some of these prepositions are used in standard expressions. In this post you can see all the “older” prepositions with examples of their use. If you like to read more about old words used in Modern Greek, check this and this.   Photo by Christos Andriopoulos on Unsplash Ανά: it states movement or allocation. It is also used in standard expressions ..read more

Usually Greek students find it difficult to practice listening comprehension. Most authentic resources contain video or audio files which are suitable for fluent speakers. In this post, there is an audio file and a listening comprehension activity, suitable for upper-intermediate students. It is a multiple choice exercise. First, read all the questions and then listen to the the audio file at least two times, or as many times as you need.     Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash   https://blogs.transparent.com/greek/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2022/02/to-kafeneio.mp3 ..read more

The last days of January have been challenging. A heavy snowstorm hit Greece, especially Athens, and the country was totally unprepared to face the challenge. The snowstorm that was, ironically, called “Ελπίς” (i.e. “Hope”) , left many areas without electricity, blocked the streets of Athens, letting many drivers trapped in their cars and debunked the myth that “Greece is always hot and sunny”. In this post, there is a list of words and phrases about bad weather. You can find idioms and standard expressions about cold here. Photo by Nelly Antoniadou on Unsplash #1 ..read more

Idiomatic expressions are difficult to learn. In this post, there is a list of phrases that a Greek native speaker uses in daily life. If you want to see more expressions, check this and this.   Photo by Jade Seok on Unsplash   #1. πιάνω την πάρλα: to chatter, to talk a lot Παράδειγμα: H Μαργαρίτα έπιασε την πάρλα με τη φίλη της στο τηλέφωνο και παραλίγο να κάψει το φαγητό. Margarita was chattering with her friend on the phone and the food was almost burned.     #2. κάθε τρεις και λίγο: it means very often. It has a negative connotation ..read more

Γεια σας! Two years ago I wrote a post about the most  common mistakes foreigners make in Greek. Today, the topic of the post is the incorrect use of Greek, so it is the “sequel” of the previous post.   Photo by Jeremy Morris on Unsplash   #1. Είμαι αργά or είμαι αργός. This phrase means “I am slow” and people use it when they want to say “I am late”. Correct: άργησα Τhe verb αργώ means “to be late”. Αόριστος: άργησα / Μέλλοντας: θα αργήσω. Παραδείγματα: 1. Συγγνώμη που άργησα. Sorry I’m late. 2. Θα αργήσω γιατί έχει κίνηση. I will be late because there is traffic.   #2 ..read more

Χρόνια πολλά! Today, I will ignore all the bad things, related to the pandemic, and I will write about κάλαντα (carols). Photo by Luke Hodde on Unsplash Τα κάλαντα are traditional songs with roots to the Byzantine tradition and they announce a religious holiday which is about to come. They are sung by children or men on Christmas Eve, on New Year’s Eve and on the Epiphany (Θεοφάνεια). They are addressed to the owners of the house. When the song is over, the carolers (καλαντιστές) get money. Every region in Greece has one or more different versions of κάλαντα and its own traditional instrumen ..read more