How to Ask for a Word in Greek - Examples and Variations

Master how to ask for a word in Greek with the key pattern

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Let's look at some examples.

Listen and repeat or speak along with the native speakers.

Πώς λέμε book στα ελληνικά; (Pós léme book sta eliniká?)

Βιβλίο. (Vivlío.)

Πώς λέμε book στα ελληνικά; (Pós léme book sta eliniká?)

Πώς λέμε pen στα ελληνικά; (Pós léme pen sta eliniká?)

Στιλό. (Stiló.)

Πώς λέμε pen στα ελληνικά; (Pós léme pen sta eliniká?)

Πώς λέμε bag; (Pós léme bag?)

Τσάντα. (Tsánda.)

Πώς λέμε bag; (Pós léme bag?)

Πώς λέμε pencil στα ελληνικά; (Pós léme pencil sta eliniká?)

Μολύβι. (Molívi.)

Πώς λέμε pencil στα ελληνικά; (Pós léme pencil sta eliniká?)

Πώς το λένε αυτό; (Pós to léne aftó?)

Βιβλίο. (Vivlío.)

Πώς το λένε αυτό; (Pós to léne aftó?)

Did you notice how I used a different pattern?

Πώς το λένε αυτό; (Pós to léne aftó?)

"What do you call this?"

First is πώς (pós), "how." Πώς.

After this is το (to), "it." Το.

Note: το (to) is a shortened form of αυτό (aftó), meaning "it."

Next is λένε (léne), "[they] tell." Λένε. Λένε.

Last is αυτό (aftó), "this." Αυτό. Αυτό.

All together, Πώς το λένε αυτό; (Pós to léne aftó?), literally means "How it [they] say this?"

but translates as "What do you call this?"

Note: This pattern is usually used when pointing at something.

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