How to Talk About Your Spouse and Children

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Vocabulary (Review)

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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 spouse and children in Greek.

For example, "Yes. This is my family: my husband, my son, my daughters, and me." is

Ναι. Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο σύζυγός μου, ο γιος μου, οι κόρες μου και εγώ. (Ne. Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o sízigós mu, o yos mu, i kóres mu ke egó.)

Martha Asimakis is studying with her Greek teacher, Anna-Maria Aslanidou .

The teacher notices a picture on Martha’s computer and asks about the people visible in the picture.

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

σύζυγος (sízigos)

"husband"

σύζυγος

γιος (yos)

"son"

γιος

κόρες (kóres)

"daughters"

κόρες

Listen to the conversation, and focus on the response.

Note: Anna-Maria uses formal Greek.

Ready?

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σας; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá sas?)

Once more with the English translation.

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σας; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá sas?)

"Is this your family?"

"Yes. This is my family: my husband, my son, my daughters, and me."

Let's break down the conversation.

Do you remember how Anna-Maria Aslanidou asks,

"Is this your family?"

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σας; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá sas?)

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 (ikoyénia) 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 case.

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 σας (sas), "your," in formal situations. Σας . Σας.

Now, you might be more familiar with σου (su), an informal word for "your," as in η οικογένειά σου, "your family (informal)." As this is a conversation between two adults that don’t know each other very well, the formal form, σας (sas), is more appropriate.

Together it's η οικογένειά σας (i ikoyéniá sas), literally, "family your," but translating as “your family.”

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

This phenomenon happens when a Greek word is accented on the third-to-last syllable, and is followed by a weak form of the pronouns, such as σας (sas) in our example here.

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 σας; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá sas?) This literally means "This is family your," But it translates as "Is this your family?"

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σας; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá sas?)

Let's take a closer look at the response.

Do you remember how Martha says,

"Yes. This is my family: my husband, my son, my daughters, and me."

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

It answers Anna-Maria's yes-or-no question, "Is this your family?" Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σας; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá sas?)

After this, Martha 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 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.

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 σύζυγός μου (o sízigós mu), "my husband." Ο σύζυγός μου.

Let's start with σύζυγος (sízigos), literally, “spouse,” but translates as "husband," in this context. Σύζυγος . Σύζυγος.

Σύζυγος (Sízigos) is masculine singular, and in the nominative case.

Next is μου (mu), "my." Mου . Mου.

Together σύζυγός μου (sízigós mu), "my husband." σύζυγός 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 σύζυγος.

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

All together it's ο σύζυγός μου (i sízigós mu), "my husband." Ο σύζυγός μου.

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

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 μου (mu).

Next is ο γιος μου (o yos mu), "my son." Ο γιος μου.

Let's start with γιος (yos), "son." Γιος . Γιος.

Γιος is masculine singular, and in the nominative case.

Next is μου (mu), "my."

Together γιος μου (yos mu), "my son." Γιος μου.

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

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

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

All together it's ο γιος μου (o yos mu), "my son." Ο γιος μου.

Next is οι κόρες μου (i kóres mu), "my daughters." Οι κόρες μου.

Let's start with κόρες (kóres), "daughters." Κόρες . Κόρες.

Κόρες is feminine plural, and in the nominative case.

Κόρες (kóres) is from the noun κόρη (kóri), "daughter." κόρη.

Next is μου (mu), "my."

Together it's κόρες μου (kóres mu), "my daughters." κόρες μου.

Before this is οι (i). Think of it like "the" in English. Οι. Again, there is no corresponding English translation in this phrase.

Οι (i) is feminine plural, and in the nominative case to agree with κόρες (kóres).

All together it's οι κόρες μου (i kóres mu), "my daughters." Οι κόρες μου.

To refer to "my sons," use Οι γιοι μου (i yi mu). Οι γιοι μου .

And you can use the word παιδιά (pediá), for "children."

τα παιδιά μου (ta pediá mu), "my children."

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 σύζυγός μου, ο γιος μου, οι κόρες μου και εγώ. (Ne. Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o sízigós mu, o yos mu, i kóres mu ke egó.)

"Yes. This is my family: my husband, my son, my daughters, and me."

The pattern is

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά 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 ke egó.)

This is my family: 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 your family members are your wife, your son, your daughters, and you.

As we mentioned before, σύζυγος (sízigos) literally means, “spouse,” so it can also mean "wife."

”Wife" is η σύζυγός (i sízigós) . Η σύζυγός.

Say

"This is my family: my wife, my son, my daughters, and me."

Ready?

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: η σύζυγός μου, ο γιος μου, οι κόρες μου και εγώ. (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: i sízigós mu, o yos mu, i kóres mu ke egó.)

"This is my family: my wife, my son, my daughters, and me."

Σύζυγος (Sízigós) means spouse. The article it appears with will indicate whether it means “husband” or “wife.”

ο σύζυγος (o sízigós). “Husband.” ο σύζυγος.

η σύζυγος (i sízigos). “Wife.” η σύζυγος.

In this lesson, you learned two relatively formal words for husband and wife.

Ο σύζυγος (o sízigos) and η σύζυγος (i sízigos).

In less formal situations, the following words are commonly used:

Ο άντρας (o ándras), "husband." Ο άντρας . Ο άντρας.

Η γυναίκα (i yinéka), "wife." Η γυναίκα . Η γυναίκα.

Again, the key pattern is

This is my family: 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 σύζυγός μου, ο γιος μου, οι κόρες μου και εγώ. (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o sízigós mu, o yos mu, i kóres mu ke egó.)

“This is my family: my husband, my son, my daughters, and me.”

“This is my family: my wife, my son, my daughters, and me.”

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: η σύζυγός μου, η κόρη μου και εγώ. (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: i sízigós mu, i kóri mu ke egó.)

“This is my family: my wife, my daughter, and me.”

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: η σύζυγός μου, η κόρη μου και εγώ. (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: i sízigós mu, i kóri mu ke egó.)

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο σύζυγός μου, ο γιος μου και εγώ. (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o sízigós mu, o yos mu ke egó.)

“This is my family: my husband, my son, and me.”

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο σύζυγός μου, ο γιος μου και εγώ. (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o sízigós mu, o yos mu ke egó.)

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο σύζυγός μου, οι γιοι μου και εγώ. (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o sízigós mu, i yii mu ke egó.)

“This is my family: my husband, my sons, and me.”

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο σύζυγός μου, οι γιοι μου και εγώ. (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o sízigós mu, i yii mu ke egó.)

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 Martha says,

"This is my family."

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

Do you remember how to say "husband?"

σύζυγος (sízigos)

And how to say "my husband?"

Don't forget the article.

ο σύζυγός μου (o sízigós mu)

Do you remember how to say "son?"

γιος (yos)

And how to say "my son?"

Don't forget the article.

ο γιος μου (o yos mu)

Do you remember how to say "daughter?"

κόρη (kóri)

Do you remember how to say "and?"

και (ke)

And how to say "me"?

Literally: “I.”

εγώ (egó)

Do you remember how Martha says,

"Yes. This is my family: my husband, my son, my daughters, and me."

Do you remember the formal way to say "your family?"

Don't forget the article.

η οικογένειά σας (i ikoyéniá sas)

Do you remember how Anna-Maria asks,

"Is this your family?"

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σας; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá sas?)

Let's practice.

Imagine you're Christos Chalepas .

You have a wife, η σύζυγός (i sízigós), and a daughter, η κόρη (i kóri).

Respond to Pericles’ 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 σας; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá sas?)

Ναι. Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: η σύζυγός μου, η κόρη μου και εγώ. (Ne. Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: i sízigós mu, i kóri mu ke egó.)

Listen again and repeat.

Ναι. Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: η σύζυγός μου, η κόρη μου και εγώ. (Ne. Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: i sízigós mu, i kóri mu ke egó.)

Let's try another.

Imagine you're Bessie Biliou .

You have a husband, ο σύζυγός (o sízigós), a daughter η κόρη (i kóri), and a son, ο γιος (o yos).

Ready?

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σας; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá sas?)

Ναι. Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο σύζυγός μου, η κόρη μου, ο γιος μου και εγώ. (Ne. Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o sízigós mu, i kóri mu, o yos mu ke egó.)

Listen again and repeat.

Let’s try one more.

Imagine you're Pericles’ friend, Roula Ralli .

You have a husband, ο σύζυγός (o sízigós), and a son, ο γιος (o yos).

Ready?

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

Ναι. Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο σύζυγός μου, ο γιος μου και εγώ. (Ne. Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o sízigós mu, o yos mu ke egó.)

Listen again and repeat.

Ναι. Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο σύζυγός μου, ο γιος μου και εγώ. (Ne. Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o sízigós mu, o yos mu ke egó.)

In this lesson, you learned how to talk about your spouse and children in Greek. This plays an essential role in the larger skill of talking about your family. Let’s review the family members.

Do you remember the word for "sister"?

αδερφή (aderfí)

And the word for "brother"?

αδερφός (aderfós)

Do you remember the word for "mother"?

μητέρα (mitéra)

And the word for "father"?

πατέρας (patéras)

Imagine you're Ben Lee , and you have a father, ο πατέρας (o patéras), mother, η μητέρα (i mitéra), and a sister η αδερφή (i aderfí).

Respond to your classmate Lia Andreadaki , who sees a picture in your wallet, and asks for the people in it.

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 και εγώ. (Ne. Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o patéras mu, i mitéra mu, i aderfí mu ke egó.)

Listen again, and repeat.

Now imagine that you're Ben's mother, Karen Lee , and you have a husband, ο σύζυγός (o sízigós), son, ο γιος (o yos) and a daughter, η κόρη (i kóri).

Ready?

Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά σας; (Aftí íne i ikoyéniá sas?)

Ναι. Αυτή είναι η οικογένειά μου: ο σύζυγός μου, ο γιος μου, η κόρη μου και εγώ. (Ne. Aftí íne i ikoyéniá mu: o sízigós mu, o yos mu, i kóri mu ke egó.)

Listen again, and repeat.

Well done! This is the end of the lesson and the Can Talk About Family unit of this course.

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