Greek Wht Would You Use...? English Has Too Many \"to\"\'s

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squeak Wednesday 23rd of August 2006 02:17:52 AM
Wht would you use...? - In English, the word \"to\" seems to have an endless number of uses, but in Greek they\'re different words. I\'m not sure what to use if I were to say something like \"I said it to you\" or \"I gave it to you\". Could one (or more) of you wonderful people help me?

Efharisto (no greek on this computer :()

nena77 Wednesday 23rd of August 2006 04:18:05 AM
- The word \"σε\" is the preposition most commonly used in such cases. For example:

I said it to you - \"Το είπα σε εσένα\" or \"Σου το είπα\"
I gave it to you - \"Το έδωσα σε εσένα\" or \"Σου το έδωσα\"

The first sentence more or less emphasises the person [I gave it to [b]you[/b], I said it to [b]you[/b], but it is still correct. The second sentence, as you can see, does not contain the preposition.
It is the case that does all the work here. The above verbs take two objects, one in genitive case (the personal object) and one in accusative case (the impersonal object). Depending on the verb you have to choose the correct case.

Take care not to confuse the preposition σε with the antonym σε. For example \"σε φιλώ\" means I kiss you, no prepositions there. The word σε is the accusative form of εσύ.

I think we should, at some point, write down the antonyms in all cases, it would make it more clear.

Back to the preposition game, \"σε\" is used almost everywhere, with \"με\" [with] coming a close second.

Gosh, this sounds awfully complicated, even for a Greek person! ;)

squeak Wednesday 23rd of August 2006 04:24:36 AM
- Thanks nena77. :D

That helps :) Makes sense even, and it involves cases, which just confuse me!

Make a thread with prepositions, antonyms, articles, etc in all the cases, and genders...that could be good to do. I might attempt to collect those together for myself...it might help me with cases.

Anyway, thanks again :D

Phrasebase Archive
	squeak	Wednesday 23rd of August 2006 02:17:52 AM
	Wht would you use...? - In English, the word \"to\" seems to have an endless number of uses, but in Greek they\'re different words. I\'m not sure what to use if I were to say something like \"I said it to you\" or \"I gave it to you\". Could one (or more) of you wonderful people help me? Efharisto (no greek on this computer :()
	nena77	Wednesday 23rd of August 2006 04:18:05 AM
	- The word \"σε\" is the preposition most commonly used in such cases. For example: I said it to you - \"Το είπα σε εσένα\" or \"Σου το είπα\" I gave it to you - \"Το έδωσα σε εσένα\" or \"Σου το έδωσα\" The first sentence more or less emphasises the person [I gave it to [b]you[/b], I said it to [b]you[/b], but it is still correct. The second sentence, as you can see, does not contain the preposition. It is the case that does all the work here. The above verbs take two objects, one in genitive case (the personal object) and one in accusative case (the impersonal object). Depending on the verb you have to choose the correct case. Take care not to confuse the preposition σε with the antonym σε. For example \"σε φιλώ\" means I kiss you, no prepositions there. The word σε is the accusative form of εσύ. I think we should, at some point, write down the antonyms in all cases, it would make it more clear. Back to the preposition game, \"σε\" is used almost everywhere, with \"με\" [with] coming a close second. Gosh, this sounds awfully complicated, even for a Greek person! ;)
	squeak	Wednesday 23rd of August 2006 04:24:36 AM
	- Thanks nena77. :D That helps :) Makes sense even, and it involves cases, which just confuse me! Make a thread with prepositions, antonyms, articles, etc in all the cases, and genders...that could be good to do. I might attempt to collect those together for myself...it might help me with cases. Anyway, thanks again :D