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| In today's lesson, we'll cover phrases used for apologizing. Now, as you haven't quite mastered Greek, it's probably very prudent to go over the phrases for apologizing as they just might come in handy. |
| We'll start with "I'm sorry," which in Greek is Με συγχωρείτε (Me sinhoríte). |
| Με συγχωρείτε (Me sinhoríte) |
| Let's break it down by syllable: Me sin-ho-ri-te. |
| Now let's hear it again, Με συγχωρείτε (Me sinhoríte) |
| Please note that we use Με συγχωρείτε (Me sinhoríte) in the formal level of speech. When talking to a friend, thus changing to the informal level of speech, you should use συγγνώμη (signómi). |
| συγγνώμη (signómi) |
| Let's break it down by syllable: si-gno-mi. |
| Now let's hear it again, συγγνώμη (signómi). |
| You may also use Με συγχωρείτε (Me sinhoríte) and Συγγνώμη (Signómi) when you might have said or done something offensive, wrong, or embarrassing. |
| Note that we can use Με συγχωρείτε (Me sinhoríte) ALSO as "Excuse me." |
| Use this when you are trying to work your way through a crowd, at the subway station for instance, when you are trying to get someone's attention in a store, or asking for directions. |
| Now, what if someone says Με συγχωρείτε (Me sinhoríte) or Συγγνώμη (Signómi) to you after having done something wrong and you want to respond "No problem" or "It doesn't matter." In this case, the proper response should be Δεν πειράζει (Den pirázi), which literally means "It doesn't matter." |
| Δεν πειράζει (Den pirázi) |
| Let's break it down by syllable: Den pi-ra-zi. |
| Now let's hear it again, Δεν πειράζει (Den pirázi) |
| Δεν πειράζει (Den pirázi) |
| Okay, to close out today's lesson, we'd like for you to practice what you've just learned. I'll provide you with the English equivalent of the phrase and you're responsible for shouting it out loud. You'll have a few seconds before I give you the answer, so Καλή τύχη (kalí týchi), which means "good luck!" in Greek. |
| "I'm sorry;" "Excuse me" formal - Με συγχωρείτε (Me sinhoríte) |
| Με συγχωρείτε (Me sinhoríte) |
| Με συγχωρείτε (Me sinhoríte) |
| "I'm sorry;" "Excuse me" - συγγνώμη (signómi) |
| συγγνώμη (signómi) |
| συγγνώμη (signómi) |
| "No problem;" "It doesn't matter" - Δεν πειράζει (Den pirázi) |
| Δεν πειράζει (Den pirázi) |
| Δεν πειράζει (Den pirázi) |
| All right, that's going to do it for today! |
| Remember to stop by GreekPod101.com and pick up the accompanying PDF. If you stop by, be sure to leave us a comment. Αντίο! (Antío!) |
Comments
HideΣυγγνώμη.
In how many different languages can you say "I am sorry"?
Hi Alex,
Great question!
Basically, γ in compound words such as συγχωρώ, συγγνώμη (the first γ), έγγραφο (the first γ) etc., is pronounced with nasalisation, like an "n" sound.
These words etymologically consist of prepositions that end in an "n" sound:
συγχωρώ ← συγχωρέω (ancient Greek) ← συγ- (← σύν) + χωρέω
συγγνώμη ← συγγιγνώσκω (ancient Greek) ← συγ- (← σύν) + γιγνώσκω
έγγραφο ← έγγραφος ← εγγράφω ← εγ- (← εν) + γράφω
When the compounds merge, the final "n" of συν and εν gets assimilated and becomes γ. Its pronunciation, however, doesn't really become γ. It's still "n".
Here's a pronunciation lesson about consonants were you will see this assimilation happening in some of the words:
https://www.greekpod101.com/2015/03/20/ultimate-greek-pronunciation-guide-5-consonants-part-2/
I hope this clears out any confusion :)
Stefania
Team GreekPod101.com
In "Με συγχωρείτε", the γ before χ seems to sound like "n", but I cannot find any rule to explain it. Is there a rule? ?
Hi Bibiana,
In that case it's better to say:
μην ανησυχείτε
δεν πειράζει
παρακαλώ (if you are making space for someone to pass or providing a seat)
you can also repeat συγγνώμη/με συγχωρείτε if you were in someone's way for example.
In a more friendly situation you can say συγχωρεμένος/συγχωρεμένη meaning "you are forgiven" when someone is apologising to you.
Τίποτα goes better as an answer to ευχαριστώ. It's an abbreviation of "δεν κάνει τίποτα" (lit. "it costs nothing" implying that it didn't cost you anything to do the thing you are being thanked for).
Stefania
Team GreekPod101.com
In 8 languages :grin:
When somebody says to you συγνωμη or με συγχωρείτε, you can answer also "τίποτα" - nothing, right?