How to Talk About Your Parents and Siblings

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Lesson Transcript

Welcome to Can-Do Greek by GreekPod101.com.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to talk about your parents and siblings in Greek.

For example, "Yes. This is my family: my father, my mother, my brother, my sister, and me." is

Ναι. Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο πατέρας μου, η μητέρα μου, ο αδερφός μου, η αδερφή μου και εγώ. (Ne. Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o patéras mu, i mitéra mu, o aderfós mu, i aderfí mu ke egó.)

Jenny Asimakis is at a coffee shop with her classmate, Lia Andreadaki .

Jenny is showing some pictures to Lia. She points to one of them and asks about the people visible in it.

Before you hear the conversation, let's preview some of its key components.

πατέρας (patéras)

"father"

πατέρας

μητέρα (mitéra)

"mother"

μητέρα

αδερφός (aderfós)

"brother"

αδερφός

αδερφή (aderfí)

"sister"

αδερφή

Listen to the conversation, and focus on the response.

Note: the speakers in this conversation use informal Greek.

Ready?

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σου; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá su?)

Once more with the English translation.

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σου; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá su?)

"Is this your family?"

"Yes. This is my family: my father, my mother, my brother, my sister, and me."

Let's break down the conversation.

Do you remember how Lia Andreadaki asks,

"Is this your family?"

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σου; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá su?)

Let's start with the word οικογένεια (ikoyénia),"family." Οικογένεια . Οικογένεια.

In Greek, all nouns have grammatical gender. They are also either singular or plural and have a case that depends on the role they are playing in the sentence.

Οικογένεια is feminine and singular.

Here, οικογένεια (ikoyénia) is the subject of the sentence, so it appears as it would in the dictionary, also known as the nominative form.

Because of this, some other words in the sentence will also be feminine, singular, and in the nominative.

Before this is η (i). Think of it like "the" in English. Η . Η.

Η is also feminine singular, and in the nominative case to agree with οικογένεια (ikoyénia).

Note, Greek nouns often appear with the definite article, even when it does not have a corresponding English translation.

Next is σου (su), "your." Σου . Σου.

Together it's η οικογένειά σου (i ikoyéniá su), "family your."

Note, there are two stress marks on the word meaning "family."

This happens when a word is accented on the third-to-last syllable and is followed by a weak pronoun or possessive adjective, such as σου (su).

Moving to the start of the sentence, αυτή (aftí), "this." Αυτή . Αυτή.

Note: αυτή (aftí) is feminine singular, and in the nominative case to agree with οικογένεια (ikoyénia).

Next is είναι (íne), "is," as in "this is..." Είναι . Είναι.

Είναι is from the verb είμαι (íme), the dictionary form of the verb "to be." Είμαι.

All together, it's Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σου; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá su?) This literally means "This is family your?" But it translates as "Is this your family?"

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σου; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá su?)

Let's take a closer look at the response.

Do you remember how Jenny says,

"Yes. This is my family: my father, my mother, my brother, my sister, and me."

This starts with the expression, ναι (ne), meaning "yes." Ναι . Ναι.

It answers Lia's yes-or-no question, "Is this your family?" Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σου; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá su?)

After this, Jenny points to the picture, and says, αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου (aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu).

Let's start with the phrase η οικογένειά μου (i ikoyéniá mu), "my family." Η οικογένειά μου.

οικογένεια (ikoyénia), "family." Οικογένεια.

Do you remember the gender and number of οικογένεια (ikoyénia)?

Feminine and singular.

Also here, οικογένεια (ikoyénia) is in the nominative case.

Because of this, some other words in the sentence will also be feminine, singular, and in the nominative.

Next is μου (mu), "my." Mου . Mου.

Together, οικογένειά μου, "my family." Οικογένειά μου.

Before this is η (i). Think of it like "the" in English. Η . Η.

Η (i) is feminine singular, and in the nominative case to agree with οικογένεια.

Note, in this phrase, the article η does not have a corresponding English translation.

All together it's η οικογένειά μου (i ikoyéniá mu). "My family." η οικογένειά μου.

Moving to the start of the sentence, αυτή (aftí), "this." Αυτή.

Note: αυτή (aftí) is feminine singular, and in the nominative case to agree with οικογένεια (ikoyénia).

Next is είναι (íne), "is," as in "this is..." Είναι . Είναι.

Together it's αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου (aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu). "This is my family." Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου (aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu).

After this is ο πατέρας μου (o patéras mu), "my father." Ο πατέρας μου.

Let's start with πατέρας (patéras), "father." Πατέρας . Πατέρας.

Πατέρας is masculine singular, and in the nominative case.

Next is μου (mu), "my." Mου . Mου.

Together, πατέρας μου, "my father." πατέρας μου.

Before this is ο (o). Think of it like "the" in English. Ο . Ο.

Ο is masculine singular, and in the nominative case to agree with πατέρας.

Note, in this phrase, the article ο does not have a corresponding English translation.

All together it's ο πατέρας μου (o patéras mu), "my father." Ο πατέρας μου.

Next is η μητέρα μου (i mitéra mu), "my mother." Η μητέρα μου.

Let's start with μητέρα (mitéra), "mother." Μητέρα . Μητέρα.

Μητέρα is feminine singular, and in the nominative case.

Next is μου (mu), "my" in this context.

Together μητέρα μου (mitéra mu), "my mother." μητέρα μου.

Before this is η (i). Think of it like "the" in English. Η . Η.

Η is feminine singular, and in the nominative case to agree with μητέρα.

Again, in this phrase, the article η does not have a corresponding English translation.

All together it's η μητέρα μου (i mitéra mu), "my mother." Η μητέρα μου.

Next is ο αδερφός μου (o aderfós mu), "my brother." Ο αδερφός μου.

Let's start with αδερφός (aderfós), "brother." Αδερφός . Αδερφός.

Αδερφός is masculine singular, and in the nominative case.

Next is μου (mu), "my" in this context.

Together it's αδερφός μου (aderfós mu), "my brother." αδερφός μου.

Before this is ο (o). Think of it like "the" in English. Ο.

Note: Ο is masculine singular, and in the nominative case to agree with αδερφός.

All together it's ο αδερφός μου (i aderfós mu), "my brother." Ο αδερφός μου.

Next is η αδερφή μου (i aderfí mu), "my sister." Η αδερφή μου.

Let's start with αδερφή (aderfí), "sister." Αδερφή . Αδερφή.

Αδερφή is feminine singular, and in the nominative case.

Next is μου (mu), "my" in this context.

Together it's αδερφή μου (aderfí mu), "my sister." αδερφή μου.

Before this is η (i). Think of it like "the" in English. Η.

Note: Η is feminine singular, and in the nominative case to agree with αδερφή.

All together it's η αδερφή μου (i aderfí mu), "my sister." Η αδερφή μου.

Next is και (ke), "and." Και . Και.

And last is εγώ (egó), which translates as "me" in this context. Εγώ . Εγώ.

All together, Ναι. Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο πατέρας μου, η μητέρα μου, ο αδερφός μου, η αδερφή μου και εγώ. (Ne. Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o patéras mu, i mitéra mu, o aderfós mu, i aderfí mu ke egó.)

"Yes. This is my family: my father, my mother, my brother, my sister, and me."

The pattern is

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: FAMILY MEMBER μου, FAMILY MEMBER μου, FAMILY MEMBER μου, FAMILY MEMBER μου και εγώ. (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: FAMILY MEMBER mu, FAMILY MEMBER mu, FAMILY MEMBER mu, FAMILY MEMBER mu ke egó.)

This is my family: My FAMILY MEMBER, my FAMILY MEMBER, my FAMILY MEMBER, my FAMILY MEMBER, and me.

To use this pattern, simply replace the FAMILY MEMBER placeholders with the members of your family.

Note: the placeholders require nouns preceded by the corresponding definite article.

Imagine you have two sisters.

Αδερφές (aderfés) is "sisters." Αδερφές . Αδερφές.

Αδερφές is feminine plural and in the nominative case. Therefore, "my sisters" is οι αδερφές μου . Οι αδερφές μου.

Say

"This is my family: my father, my mother, my sisters, and me."

Ready?

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο πατέρας μου, η μητέρα μου, οι αδερφές μου και εγώ. (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o patéras mu, i mítéra mu, i aderfés mu ke egó.)

"This is my family: my father, my mother, my sisters, and me."

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο πατέρας μου, η μητέρα μου, οι αδερφές μου και εγώ.(Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o patéras mu, i mítéra mu, i aderfés mu ke egó.)

Again, the pattern is

This is my family: My FAMILY MEMBER, my FAMILY MEMBER, my FAMILY MEMBER, my FAMILY MEMBER, and me.

Let's look at some examples.

Listen and repeat or speak along with the native speakers.

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο πατέρας μου, η μητέρα μου, ο αδερφός μου, η αδερφή μου και εγώ. (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o patéras mu, i mitéra mu, o aderfós mu, i aderfí mu ke egó.)

“This is my family: my father, my mother, my brother, my sister, and me.”

“This is my family: my father, my mother, my sisters, and me.”

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο πατέρας μου, η μητέρα μου, η αδερφή μου και εγώ. (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o patéras mu, i mítéra mu, i aderfí mu ke egó.)

“This is my family: my father, my mother, my sister, and me.”

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο πατέρας μου, η μητέρα μου, η αδερφή μου, ο αδερφός μου και εγώ. (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o patéras mu, i mítéra mu, i aderfí mu, o aderfós mu ke egó.)

“This is my family: my mother, my father, my sister, my brother, and me.”

Οι γονείς μου και εγώ. (I gonís mu ke egó.)

“My parents and me.”

Οι γονείς μου και εγώ. (I gonís mu ke egó.)

Did you notice how the last speaker used a different pattern?

Οι γονείς μου και εγώ. (I gonís mu ke egó.)

"My parents and me."

Let's start with the word γονείς (gonís), "parents." Γονείς . Γονείς.

Γονείς is masculine plural, and in the nominative case.

Before this is οι (i). Think of it like "the" in English. Οι . Οι.

οι is masculine plural, and in the nominative case to agree with γονείς.

In this phrase, the article οι does not have a corresponding English translation.

Next is μου (mu), "my" in this context.

Together it's οι γονείς μου (i gonís mu), "my parents." Οι γονείς μου.

Last is και εγώ (ke egó), literally "and I," but translates as "and me." Και εγώ.

All together, Οι γονείς μου και εγώ. (I gonís mu ke egó.)

"My parents and me."

Let's review.

Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then repeat after the native speaker, focusing on pronunciation.

Ready?

Do you remember how to say "yes?"

ναι (ne)

Do you remember how to say "family?"

οικογένεια (ikoyénia)

And how to say "my family?"

Don't forget the article.

η οικογένειά μου (i ikoyéniá mu)

Do you remember how Jenny says,

"This is my family."

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου. (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu.)

Do you remember how to say "father?"

πατέρας (patéras)

And how to say "my father?"

Don't forget the article.

ο πατέρας μου (o patéras mu)

Do you remember how to say "mother?"

μητέρα (mitéra)

And how to say "my mother?"

Don't forget the article.

η μητέρα μου (i mitéra mu)

Do you remember how to say "sister?"

αδερφή (aderfí)

And how to say "my sister?"

Don't forget the article.

η αδερφή μου (i aderfí mu)

Do you remember how to say "and?"

και (ke)

And how to say "me", as in "and me"?

εγώ (egó)

Do you remember how Jenny says,

"This is my family: my father, my mother, my brother, my sister, and me."

And how to say "your family?"

Don't forget the article.

η οικογένειά σου (i ikoyéniá su)

And do you remember how Lia asks,

"Is this your family?"

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σου; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá su?)

Let's practice.

Imagine you're Alex Asimakis . And you have a father, πατέρας (patéras), mother, μητέρα (mitéra), and two sisters, αδερφές (aderfés).

Respond to your friend's question referring to the photo.

Don't forget to include the word for "yes" at the beginning of your response.

Ready?

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σου; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá su?)

Ναι. Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο πατέρας μου, η μητέρα μου, οι αδερφές μου και εγώ. (Ne. Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o patéras mu, i mitéra mu, i aderfés mu ke egó.)

Listen again and repeat.

Let's try another.

Imagine you're Jenny's classmate, Stefanos Sapountzidis .

You have a father, πατέρας (patéras), mother, μητέρα (mitéra), and a sister, αδερφή (aderfí).

Ready?

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σου; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá su?)

Ναι. Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: πατέρας μου, η μητέρα μου, η αδερφή μου και εγώ. (Ne. Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o patéras mu, i mitéra mu, i aderfí mu ke egó.)

Listen again and repeat.

Ναι. Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο πατέρας μου, η μητέρα μου, η αδερφή μου και εγώ. (Ne. Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o patéras mu, i mitéra mu, i aderfí mu ke egó.)

Let's try one more.

Imagine you're Jenny's classmate,Lia Andreadaki ,

You have a father, πατέρας (patéras), mother, μητέρα (mitéra), a sister, αδερφή (aderfí) and a brother, αδερφός (aderfós).

Ready?

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σου; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá su?)

Ναι. Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο πατέρας μου, η μητέρα μου, η αδερφή μου, ο αδερφός μου και εγώ. (Ne. Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o patéras mu, i mitéra mu, i aderfí mu, o aderfós mu ke egó.)

Listen again and repeat.

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