Language/Modern-greek-1453/Grammar/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.
Coordinating Conjunctions
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)
"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 και ένα γάτο | Ého éna skýlo ke éna gáto | I have a dog and a cat |
| Τρώω κοτόπουλο και ρύζι | Tróo kotópoulo ke rýzi | I am eating chicken and rice |
| Πάω να κολυμπήσω και μετά 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)
"Ή" (i) means "or" in English. Here are some examples:
| Modern Greek (1453-) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Θέλεις καφέ ή τσάι; | Thélis kafé i tsái? | Do you want coffee or tea? |
| Σήμερα θα πάμε στον κινηματογράφο ή στο θέατρο; | Símera tha páme ston kinimatográfo i sto théatro? | Today, are we going to the cinema or the theater? |
| Μήπως έχεις δει αυτή την ταινία ή την άλλη; | Mípos éheis dei aftí tin tenía i tin álli? | Have you seen this movie or the other one? |
Using "ούτε" (oute)
"Ούτε" (oute) means "neither/nor" in English. Here are some examples:
| Modern Greek (1453-) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Δεν 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 ακόμα ούτε το δώρο για τη μαμά, ούτε το δώρο για τον μπαμπά | 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)
"Αλλά" (alla) means "but" in English. Here are some examples:
| Modern Greek (1453-) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Μου αρέσει το κόκκινο, αλλά το μπλε είναι καλύτερο | Mou arései to kókkino, allá to ble íne kalýtero | I like red, but blue is better |
| Δεν 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)
"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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ο Θανάσης μα γλυκούλης είναι | O Thanásis ma glikoúlis íne | Thanasis, he's really cute |
| Δεν μα τρώω κρεας | Den ma tróo kreas | I really don't eat meat |
Using "ή...ή" (i...i)
"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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ή θα πάμε για καφέ, ή θα πάμε για μπύρα | Η tha páme gia kafé, ή tha páme gia mpyra | Either we go for coffee or we go for beer |
| Μπορεί να φάω ή μια σαλάτα, ή μια πίτσα | Moreí na fáo ī mia saláta, ī mia pítsa | I can eat either a salad or a pizza |
Using "άλλωστε" (alloste)
"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 |
|---|---|---|
| Δεν πειράζει αυτή η βλάβη, 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 |
| Δεν μπορείς να του βάλεις φθηνότερα ανταλλακτικά, άλλωστε τα καλά 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
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)
"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 άντρας που ήρθε είναι ο διευθυντής | O ándras pu írthe íne o diefthyntís | The man who came is the director |
Using "ότι" (oti)
"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 | Léei oti den prólave | He says that he didn't have time |
| Το δώρο που έφερες είναι ωραίο, αλλά δεν χρειαζόταν ενώ το ότι ήρθες είναι το σημαντικό | 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)
"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 έρθεις αργότερα, θα χαρώ πο
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