Language/Modern-greek-1453/Grammar/Coordinating-and-Subordinating-Conjunctions

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Modern Greek (1453-) Grammar → Prepositions and Conjunctions → Coordinating and Subordinating Conjunctions

As a Greek language teacher, I have found that coordinating and subordinating conjunctions are a very important aspect of modern Greek grammar. These two types of conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence. They are essential for expressing ideas and building complex sentences in modern Greek. In this lesson, you will learn how to use coordinating and subordinating conjunctions in modern Greek, along with interesting cultural information and useful tips.


Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Personal pronouns & Verbes elliptiques, impersonnels et irréguliers.

Coordinating Conjunctions[edit | edit source]

Coordinating conjunctions are used to join two or more words, phrases, or independent clauses. There are seven coordinating conjunctions in modern Greek: "και" (kai), "ή" (i), "ούτε" (oute), "αλλά" (alla), "μα" (ma), "ή...ή" (i...i), and "άλλωστε" (alloste).

Using "και" (kai)[edit | edit source]

"Και" (kai) means "and" in English. It is the most commonly used coordinating conjunction in modern Greek. Here are some examples:

Modern Greek (1453-) Pronunciation English
Έχω ένα σκύλο κι ένα γάτο Ého éna skýlo ke éna gáto I have a dog and a cat
Τρώω κοτόπουλο με ρύζι Tróo kotópoulo ke rýzi I am eating chicken and rice
Πάω για κολύμπι και μετά φεύγω στο σινεμά Páo na kolymbíso ke metá sto sinemá I am going to swim and then to the cinema

Note that the two words or phrases that are being connected with "και" (kai) have to be of the same part of speech.

Using "ή" (i)[edit | edit source]

"Ή" (i) means "or" in English. Here are some examples:

Modern Greek (1453-) Pronunciation English
Τι θα πιεις; Καφέ ή τσάι; Thélis kafé i tsái? Do you want coffee or tea?
Σήμερα θα πάμε κινηματογράφο ή θέατρο; Símera tha páme ston kinimatográfo i sto théatro? Today, are we going to the cinema or the theater?
Ποια ταινία έχεις δει; αυτή ή την άλλη; Mípos éheis dei aftí tin tenía i tin álli? Have you seen this movie or the other one?

Using "ούτε" (oute)[edit | edit source]

"Ούτε" (oute) means "neither/nor" in English. Here are some examples:

Modern Greek (1453-) Pronunciation English
Δε μου αρέσει ούτε ο καφές ούτε το τσάι Den mou arései oúte o kafés, oúte to tsái I don't like neither coffee, nor tea
Δεν έχω πάρει ακόμη δώρο ούτε για τη μαμά, ούτε για το μπαμπά μου. Den ého párei akóma oúte to dόro gia ti mamá, oúte to dόro gia ton bampá I haven't bought neither the present for my mum nor the present for my dad yet.

Using "αλλά" (alla)[edit | edit source]

"Αλλά" (alla) means "but" in English. Here are some examples:

Modern Greek (1453-) Pronunciation English
Μου αρέσει το κόκκινο χρώμα, αλλά το μπλε περισσότερο. Mou arései to kókkino, allá to ble íne kalýtero I like red, but blue is better
Πήγα στο πάρτι, αλλά ήμουν πολύ κουρασμένος Den píga sto párti, allá ímoun polý kourasménos I didn't go to the party, but I was very tired

Using "μα" (ma)[edit | edit source]

"Μα" (ma) means "but" in English. However, in modern Greek, it is usually used to emphasize or confirm something. Here are some examples:

Modern Greek (1453-) Pronunciation English
Μα ο Θανάσης είναι πολύ γλυκούλης. O Thanásis ma glikoúlis íne Thanasis, he's really cute
Μα δεν τρώω κρέας. Den ma tróo kreas I really don't eat meat

Using "ή...ή" (i...i)[edit | edit source]

"Ή...ή" (i...i) means "either/or" in English. It is similar to "ή" (i), but both choices are included. Here are some examples:

Modern Greek (1453-) Pronunciation English
Θα πιούμε καφέ, ή μπύρα; Η tha páme gia kafé, ή tha páme gia mpyra Either we go for coffee or we go for beer
Σκέφτομαι να φάω μια σαλάτα ή πίτσα Moreí na fáo ī mia saláta, ī mia pítsa I can eat either a salad or a pizza

Using "άλλωστε" (alloste)[edit | edit source]

"Άλλωστε" (alloste) means "besides" in English. It is used to indicate that the argument or idea being presented is just one of many factors. Here are some examples:

Modern Greek (1453-) Pronunciation English
Αυτή είναι σημαντική βλάβη, μα άλλωστε χρειαζόμαστε καινούργιο κινητό. Den peirάzei aftí i vlάvi, alloste hriazómaste kainoúrgio kinítό This problem doesn't matter, besides we need a new phone anyway
Μπορείς να του βάλεις φθηνότερα ανταλλακτικά. 'Αλλωστε τα γνήσια ανταλλακτικά είναι ακριβά. Den boreís na tou váleis fthinótera antallaktiká, alloste ta kalá antallaktiká íne akrivá You can't put cheaper spare parts, besides the good ones are expensive.

Subordinating Conjunctions[edit | edit source]

Subordinating conjunctions join a subordinate clause to an independent clause. The subordinate clause cannot stand on its own but must be part of a larger sentence. There are several subordinating conjunctions in modern Greek.

Using "που" (pu)[edit | edit source]

"Που" (pu) means "that" or "which" in English. It is used to introduce a subordinate clause. Here are some examples:

Modern Greek (1453-) Pronunciation English
Ξέρω που μένεις. Xéro pu méneis I know where you live
Ο κύριος που ήρθε είναι ο διευθυντής O ándras pu írthe íne o diefthyntís The man who came is the director

Using "ότι" (oti)[edit | edit source]

"Ότι" (oti) also means "that" in English but it is used more often than "που" (pu). It is also used to introduce a subordinate clause. Here are some examples:

Modern Greek (1453-) Pronunciation English
Λέει ότι δεν πρόλαβε. Lèi oti den prôlave He says that he didn't have time
Το δώρο που έφερες είναι ωραίο, αλλά δεν χρειαζόταν. Σημαντικό είναι το ότι ήρθες. To dóro pou éferes íne óraio, allá den hriazótan enó oti írthes íne to simantikó The present that you brought is nice, but we didn't need it while the fact that you came is what is important

Using "αν" (an)[edit | edit source]

"Αν" (an) means "if" in English. It is also used to introduce a subordinate clause. Here are some examples:

Modern Greek (1453-) Pronunciation English
Αν μπορέσεις να έρθεις αργότερα, θα χαρώ πολύ = If you could come later, I will be very happy

Other Lessons[edit | edit source]


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