Πτώσεις
Greek has four cases, which means that three parts of speech – pronouns, nouns, and articles – each have up to four forms, depending on how they are used in a sentence. (And that doesn’t even include gender and number differences! More about those in future lessons.)
1. Nominative case – Ονομαστική
Also known as the "naming case," the nominative is the form of nouns and pronouns that serves as either the subject or subject complement.
Για παράδειγμα …
| Ο Μάρκος μένει στην Αθήνα. | Markos lives in Athens. | |
| Είναι γιατρός. | He’s a doctor. |
2. Accusative case – Αιτιατική
The accusative is the case used for direct objects and objects of prepositions.
Για παράδειγμα …
| Ξέρω τον Μάρκο. | I know Markos. | |
| Μιλάω με τον γιατρό. | I’m talking to the doctor. |
3. Genitive case – Γενική
The genitive case is used for many different things, including
- Age
- Possession
- Characteristics, nouns describing other nouns
Για παράδειγμα …
| τα κλειδιά του αυτοκινήτου | the car keys | |
| το σπίτι της Μαρίας | Maria’s house |
4. Vocative case – Κλητική
The vocative case is used only when addressing someone.