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JimDSunday 08th of January 2006 01:36:42 AM
Use of μένω, γνωρίζω, ξέρω - Hi, these words have me a bit confused! Can you help?

First μένω. If someone asks you 'πού μένετε' while you're on holiday, are they asking where you are staying (e.g.Hotel) or where your home is (e.g. Washington, England)?

Now, according to the dictionary I have, ξέρω means to know something (e.g. a fact, a language etc) and γνωρίζω means to know a person. However, I've just aquired a Greek grammar book which uses ξέρω to mean to know a person (e.g. ξέρω τον Πέτρο ).

Ευχαριστώ!
magicaSunday 08th of January 2006 09:55:26 AM
- you have right to confuse.

we use "μένω" for all situasions. It can mean our hotel, or our city, or our address.

the word "ξέρω" and "γνωρίζω" have the same meaning. you can say "Ξέρω τον Πέτρο" or "Γνωρίζω τον Πέτρο".
JimDSunday 08th of January 2006 04:12:56 PM
- Ευχαριστώ, Μαγικα. Το ξέρω τώρα!
JimDSunday 08th of January 2006 05:26:12 PM
- Magica, your English is very good, so I hope you don't mind if I correct a mistake for you.

The phrase 'you have right to confuse' is incorrect - you should say 'you have a right to be confused' or, alternatively, 'you are right to be confused'.
magicaMonday 09th of January 2006 08:15:38 AM
- I dont have problem to correct me. I have years to read english grammar and I know that I have many problems
manoulaFriday 13th of January 2006 01:32:58 AM
- Magica's reply is correct. I would like to add to it.

Sometimes, a person who wants to know where you are from, may say "Apo pou iste;" (where are you from)

Gnorizo means recognize. In English this usually means visually but in Greek it could mean that you don't know about something. Example; someone mentions something about the Omlympics and asks your opinion. If you don't know about it to form an opinion, you could say "Then to gnorizo" Which then means I am not familiar with it.


JimDFriday 13th of January 2006 03:45:06 AM
- Thanks, Manoula. 'Recognise' in English can be used in the way you describe as well, so it's a good example and helps my understanding.


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