How to Say Where You're From

Dialogue

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Lesson Transcript

Welcome to Can-Do Greek by GreekPod101.com

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to say where you're from in Greek.

For example, "I am from Florida." is

Είμαι από τη Φλόριντα. (Íme apó ti Flórinda.)

Two passengers, Martha Asimakis and Panagiotis Papakonstantinou , are seated next to each other on a plane to Greece.

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

πού (pú)

"where"

πού (pú)

από (apó)

"from"

από (apó)

Listen to the conversation, and focus on Martha’s response.

Note: the speakers in this conversation use formal Greek.

Ready?

Από πού είστε; (Apó pú íste?)

Είμαι από τη Φλόριντα. (Íme apó ti Flórinda.)

Once more with the English translation.

Από πού είστε; (Apó pú íste?)

“Where are you from?”

Είμαι από τη Φλόριντα. (Íme apó ti Flórinda.)

“I'm from Florida.”

Let's break down the conversation.

Do you remember how Panagiotis Papakonstantinou asks,

"Where are you from?"

Από πού είστε; (Apó pú íste?)

First is από (apó), meaning "from," in this context. Από . Από.

Next is πού (pú), "where." Πού . Πού.

Last is είστε (íste), "[you] are," when using formal Greek. Είστε . Είστε.

Note: είστε (íste) is a shortened form of εσείς είστε (esís íste), "you are," plural, as in "you all are." It's also the formal way to address a single person, as is the case here, where Panagiotis is addressing Martha.

In Greek, εσείς (esís), "you,” is usually omitted, as it’s understood from context.

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

Together, Από πού είστε; (Apó pú íste?) literally means, "From where [you] are," but translates as "Where are you from?" Από πού είστε;

Remember this question. You’ll hear it again later in this lesson.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the response.

Do you remember how Martha Asimakis says,

"I'm from Florida."

Είμαι από τη Φλόριντα. (Íme apó ti Flórinda.)

First is είμαι (íme). "[I] am." Είμαι . Είμαι.

Note: είμαι (íme) is a shortened form of εγώ είμαι (egó íme), "I am." In Greek, εγώ (egó), "I," is usually omitted, as it’s understood from context.

Είμαι is also the dictionary form of the verb "to be." Είμαι.

Next is από (apó), "from," in this context. Από.

Last is the place τη Φλόριντα (ti Flórinda). "Florida." Τη Φλόριντα.

Let’s start with Φλόριντα (Flórinda). "Florida." Φλόριντα (Flórinda).

Φλόριντα (Flórinda) is in the accusative case, because it follows από (apó).

This along with its gender and number will determine the form of other words in the sentence.

Φλόριντα (Flórinda) is feminine singular.

Therefore, Φλόριντα (Flórinda) is feminine singular and in the accusative.

Before Φλόριντα (Flórinda) is τη (ti). Think of it like "the" in English. Τη . Τη.

Τη is also feminine, singular, and accusative to agree with Φλόριντα.

Note: in this phrase, the article τη (ti) does not have a corresponding English translation.

All together, Είμαι από τη Φλόριντα. (Íme apó ti Flórinda.) "I'm from Florida."

Είμαι από τη Φλόριντα.

In Greek, all nouns are either singular or plural. Unlike English, they also have grammatical gender and case.

For this lesson, let’s review the Greek definite articles for singular nouns in the accusative case.

For singular masculine nouns in the accusative case, the corresponding article is τον (ton), as in τον Πειραιά. (ton Pireá), "Piraeus."

For singular feminine nouns in the accusative case, there are two corresponding articles:

Την (tin) precedes feminine nouns starting with a vowel or one of the following consonants: κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ or one of the following double consonants: γκ, μπ, ντ, τσ, τζ, as in την Αθήνα (tin Athína), "Athens."

For all other cases, τη (ti), as in τη Φλόριντα (ti Flórinda.), "Florida."

For singular neuter nouns in the accusative case, the corresponding article is το (to), as in το Σίδνεϊ (to Sídnei), "Sydney."

The pattern is

Είμαι από LOCATION. (Íme apó {LOCATION})

"I'm from LOCATION."

Είμαι από LOCATION. (Íme apó {LOCATION})

To use this pattern, simply replace the {LOCATION} placeholder with the name of your hometown.

Note: this pattern requires a proper noun in the accusative case, preceded by the corresponding definite article.

Imagine you’re from Sydney. In Greek Σίδνεϊ (Sídnei). Σίδνεϊ.

Σίδνεϊ (Sídnei) is neuter and singular, and its corresponding definite article is το (to).

Together, το Σίδνεϊ (to Sídnei). Το Σίδνεϊ . Το Σίδνεϊ (Sídnei).

Say

"I'm from Sydney."

Ready?

Είμαι από το Σίδνεϊ. (Íme apó to Sídnei.)

"I'm from Sydney."

Είμαι από το Σίδνεϊ. (Íme apó to Sídnei.)

Again, the key pattern is

Είμαι από LOCATION. (Íme apó {LOCATION})

"I'm from LOCATION."

Είμαι από LOCATION. (Íme apó {LOCATION})

Let's look at some examples.

Listen and repeat or speak along with the native speakers.

Είμαι από τη Φλόριντα. (Íme apó ti Flórinda.)

“I’m from Florida.”

Είμαι από τη Φλόριντα. (Íme apó ti Flórinda.)

Είμαι από το Σίδνεϊ. (Íme apó to Sídnei.)

“I’m from Sydney.”

Είμαι από το Σίδνεϊ. (Íme apó to Sídnei.)

Είμαι από τη Φλόριντα. (Íme apó ti Flórinda.)

“I’m from Flórinda.”

Είμαι από τη Φλόριντα. (Íme apó ti Flórinda.)

Είμαι από το Σιάτλ. Και εσύ; (Íme apó to Siátl. Ke esi?)

“I’m from Seattle. And you?”

Είμαι από το Σιάτλ. Και εσύ; (Íme apó to Siátl. Ke esi?)

Είμαι από το Λονδίνο. (Íme apó to Londíno.)

“I’m from London.”

Είμαι από το Λονδίνο. (Íme apó to Londíno.)

Είμαι από την Αθήνα. (Íme apó tin Athína.)

“I’m from Athens.”

Είμαι από την Αθήνα. (Íme apó tin Athína.)

Είμαι Αυστραλέζα. (Íme Afstraléza.)

“I’m Australian.”

Είμαι Αυστραλέζα. (Íme Afstraléza.)

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

Είμαι Αυστραλέζα. (Íme Afstraléza.) "I'm Australian." Είμαι Αυστραλέζα.

First is είμαι (íme). "[I] am." Είμαι . Είμαι

Next is Αυστραλέζα (Afstraléza), an “Australian” woman. Αυστραλέζα . Αυστραλέζα (Afstraléza).

In Mia Martin’s case, she uses a feminine noun, Αυστραλέζα (Afstraléza), to identify herself.

Note, in Greek, feminine singular nouns tend to end in -α.

Together, Είμαι Αυστραλέζα. (Íme Afstraléza.) "I'm Australian."

Είμαι Αυστραλέζα. (Íme Afstraléza.)

This pattern is

Είμαι NATIONALITY. (Íme {NATIONALITY}.)

"I'm NATIONALITY."

Είμαι NATIONALITY. (Íme {NATIONALITY}.)

To use this pattern, simply replace the NATIONALITY placeholder with your nationality.

Note: This pattern requires a proper noun, and its gender will depend on the gender of the speaker.

Recall Mia Martin uses the feminine singular noun, Αυστραλέζα (Afstraléza).

A male speaker from Australia would use a masculine noun, Αυστραλέζος (Afstralézos).

Είμαι Αυστραλέζος (Íme Afstralézos). "I’m Australian." Είμαι Αυστραλέζος.

Note, in Greek, masculine singular nouns tend to end in -ος.

You can use this response to answer the question, Από πού είστε; (Apó pú íste?)

You should be aware of this pattern, but you won’t need it for this lesson.

Let's review the key vocabulary.

Φλόριντα (Flórinda)

"Florida"

Φλόριντα

από τη Φλόριντα (apó ti Flórinda)

"from Florida"

από τη Φλόριντα

Σιάτλ (Siátl)

"Seattle"

Σιάτλ

από το Σιάτλ (apó to Siátl)

"from Seattle"

από το Σιάτλ

Λονδίνο (Londíno)

"London"

Λονδίνο (Londíno)

από το Λονδίνο (apó to Londíno)

"from London"

από το Λονδίνο

Αθήνα (Athína)

"Athens"

Αθήνα

από την Αθήνα (apó tin Athína)

"from Athens"

από την Αθήνα

Αυστραλέζος (Afstralézos)

"Australian" for male speakers.

Αυστραλέζος

Αυστραλέζα (Afstraléza)

"Australian" for female speakers.

Αυστραλέζα

Και εσύ; (ke esi?)

"And you?"

Και εσύ;

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 "from?"

από (apó)

And how to say "from Florida."

από τη Φλόριντα (apó ti Flórinda)

Do you remember how Martha says,

"I'm from Florida."

Είμαι από τη Φλόριντα. (Íme apó ti Flórinda.)

Do you remember how to say "where?"

Πού; (Pu?)

And the formal way to say "where are you?"

Πού είστε; (Pu íste?)

And do you remember how Panagiotis asks,

"Where are you from?"

Από πού είστε; (Apó pú íste?)

Do you remember how to say “from London?"

από το Λονδίνο (apó to Londíno)

And “from Athens?"

από την Αθήνα (apó tin Athína)

Do you remember the word for an Australian woman?

Αυστραλέζα (Afstraléza)

Let's practice.

Imagine you’re Jack Jones from London or Λονδίνο (Londíno) in Greek.

Respond to Panagiotis’s question.

Ready?

Από πού είστε; (Apó pú íste?)

Είμαι από το Λονδίνο. (Íme apó to Londíno.)

Listen again and repeat.

Είμαι από το Λονδίνο. (Íme apó to Londíno.)

Let’s try another.

Imagine you're Mia Martin , and you're Australian, or Αυστραλέζα (Afstraléza)

Use the variation pattern.

Ready?

Από πού είστε; (Apó pú íste?)

Είμαι Αυστραλέζα. (Íme Afstraléza.)

Listen again and repeat.

Είμαι Αυστραλέζα. (Íme Afstraléza.)

Let’s try one more.

Imagine you're Chrissi Papadopoulou from Athens, or Αθήνα (Athína).

Ready?

Από πού είστε; (Apó pú íste?)

Είμαι από την Αθήνα. (Íme apó tin Athína.)

Listen again and repeat.

Είμαι από την Αθήνα. (Íme apó tin Athína.)

In this lesson, you learned how to say where you're from in Greek. This plays an essential role in the larger skill of introducing yourself. Let’s review.

Do you remember how to say

"Nice to meet you."

Χαίρω πολύ. (Héro polí.)

And the Greek pronunciation of Martha’s name?

Μάρθα (Mártha).

Do you remember how Martha Asimakis says,

"I’m Martha."

Είμαι η Μάρθα. (Íme i Mártha.)

And do you remember how Martha Asimakis says,

"I’m Martha. Nice to meet you."

Είμαι η Μάρθα. Χαίρω πολύ. (Íme i Mártha. Héro polí.)

Imagine you're Jack Jones , from London.

Do you know how to pronounce "Jack Jones" in Greek?

Τζακ Τζόουνς (Jack Jóuns)

Respond to Panagiotis's self-introduction and follow-up question…

Ready?

εια! Είμαι ο Παναγιώτης. Χαίρω πολύ.(Ya! Íme o Panayótis. Héro polí.)

Είμαι ο Τζακ. Χαίρω πολύ! (Íme o Jack. Héro polí!)

Listen again, and repeat.

Είμαι ο Τζακ. Χαίρω πολύ! (Íme o Jack. Héro polí!)

Do you remember how to say "London" in Greek?

Λονδίνο (Londíno)

Now respond that you’re from London.

Panagiotis Papakonstantinou : Από πού είστε; (Apó pú íste?)

Είμαι από το Λονδίνο. (Íme apó to Londíno.)

Listen again and repeat.

Είμαι από το Λονδίνο. (Íme apó to Londíno.)

This is the end of this lesson.

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