Language/Modern-greek-1453/Grammar/Adjectives

Modern Greek Grammar - Adjectives

Hi Modern Greek learners! 😊

In this lesson on Modern Greek grammar, we will explore adjectives. Adjectives are words used to describe or modify nouns and pronouns. They can indicate color, size, shape, personality, nationality, and many other attributes. Learning adjectives is crucial to building up your understanding of the language and improving your ability to express yourself accurately.

Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Verb To Be, The predicate, Comparative and Superlative Adjectives & Contract Verbs.

Types of Adjectives

In Modern Greek, there are two types of adjectives: attributive adjectives and predicate adjectives. Let's take a closer look at each type.

Attributive Adjectives

Attributive adjectives usually come before the noun they modify. They can be singular or plural depending on the noun's gender and number. Check out these examples below:

Modern Greek	Pronunciation	English Translation
μικρός (mikrós)	[mikˈros]	Small
μικρά (mikrá)	[miˈkra]	Small (Nom. plural, neutre)
καινούργιος (kainoúrgios)	[cenˈurʝos]	New
καινούργια (kainoúrgia)	[cenˈurʝa]	New (feminine)
παλιός (paliós)	[paˈlios]	Old
παλιά (paliá)	[paˈʎa]	Old (nom.fem.sing. & nom. Plur. neutr.)

Here is an example of an attributive adjective used in a sentence:

• Η κόκκινή σου μπλούζα είναι πολύ ωραία. (I kókini mplúza sou íne polý oréa.) - Your red shirt is very nice.

In this sentence, the attributive adjective κόκκινη (kókini) describes the noun μπλούζα (mplúza), or "shirt."

Predicate Adjectives

Predicate adjectives come after the noun or pronoun they modify and are linked with a copula, such as είναι (íne), which means "is." This is similar to the structure in English.

Here is an example:

• Ο χυμός είναι νόστιμος. (O chymós íne kalós.) - The juice is good.

In this sentence, the predicate adjective 'νόστιμος' (nôstimos) describes the noun χυμός (chymós), or "juice."

Adjective Agreement

In Modern Greek, adjectives typically agree with the noun they modify in both gender and number. This means that the adjective must have the same gender and number as the noun it is modifying.

Consider the following example:

• Η πορτοκαλί φούστα είναι ωραία. (I portokalí foústa íne oréa.) - The orange skirt is beautiful.

In this sentence, the adjective πορτοκαλί (portokalí) agrees with the noun φούστα (foústa) in both gender (feminine) and number (singular).

Adjectives can also modify pronouns. In this case, the adjective agrees in gender and number with the pronoun. Here is an example:

• Αυτή η ροζ ζακέτα είναι δική μου. (Af̱tí̱ i roz zakéta íne dikí̱ mou.) - This pink sweater is mine.

In this example, the personal pronoun μου (mou) is feminine and singular, so the adjective δική (dikí̱) must also be feminine and singular.

Irregular Adjectives

Like in many languages, there are irregular adjectives in Modern Greek. These adjectives may have a different form for the masculine and feminine genders or may have different endings. Here are some examples:

Modern Greek	Pronunciation	English Translation
καλός (kalós)	[kaˈlos]	Good
καλή (kalí̱)	[kaˈli]	Good (feminine)
καλό (kaló)	[kaˈlo]	Good (neuter)
κακός (kakós)	[kaˈkos]	Bad
κακή (kakí̱)	[kaˈci]	Bad (feminine)
καλόπαιδο (kalópaïdo)	[kaˈlopeðo]	Well-behaved child

Practice

Let's practice using adjectives in Modern Greek with a simple dialogue:

• Person 1: Μου αρέσει αυτό το μικρό σπίτι! (Mu arései af̱tó to mikró spíti!) - I like this small house!
• Person 2: Είναι παλιό αλλά πολύ ωραίο. (Eíne palió allá polý oréa.) - It's old, but very nice.

Try coming up with your own sentences using different adjectives! Remember to use native speakers on Polyglot Club to practice and ask any questions.

Conclusion

Adjectives are an important part of Modern Greek grammar, allowing us to describe and modify nouns and pronouns in different ways. By learning adjectives and paying attention to their agreement with other words in a sentence, you can improve your ability to speak and write the language. Keep practicing, and don't be afraid to make mistakes!

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Great work on completing this lesson! Take a moment to investigate these connected pages: Homonyms and homophones, Verbs Conjugation Groups, Present Tense & Future Tense.

Other Lessons

• The comma
• Alphabet
• Verbs Conjugation Groups
• Nouns
• Pronunciation rules
• Writing and spelling
• Greek diminutive nouns
• Give your Opinion
• Greek Deponent Verbs
• Imperative Mood in Greek