Start with a verb you need, find the form for your sentence, and check the examples or usage notes before choosing an alternative.
1. Find your verb
Use the search on the homepage. Try Greek spelling, Latin spelling or an English meaning: αγαπώ, agapao or love. The alphabet lets you browse by the first Greek letter.
A verb is usually listed in its “I” form of the present: γράφω — I write. Its English dictionary meaning may be shown as “to write”. Some entries, such as πρέπει — it is necessary, work differently; follow their usage notes.
2. Find the person you mean
| Person | Example |
|---|---|
| εγώ — I | γράφω — I write |
| εσύ — you, one person | γράφεις — you write |
| αυτός / αυτή / αυτό — he / she / it | γράφει — he/she/it writes |
| εμείς — we | γράφουμε — we write |
| εσείς — you, several people or polite address | γράφετε — you write |
| αυτοί / αυτές / αυτά — they | γράφουν — they write |
Greek often leaves out the subject pronoun: γράφω already means “I write”. The ending -ει does not itself tell you whether the subject is he, she or it.
3. Choose the time and the way you view the action
| You want to say… | Look for… | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I write / I am writing | Present | γράφω |
| I was writing / used to write | Imperfect | έγραφα |
| I wrote | Simple past (aorist) | έγραψα |
| I will be writing | Continuous future | θα γράφω |
| I will write | Simple future | θα γράψω |
| I have written | Present perfect | έχω γράψει |
Continuous presents an action as ongoing or repeated. Simple presents it as a whole; it does not mean the action must be short. English translations are starting points, so consider the full sentence.
4. Check which kind of form you need
- Indicative: ordinary statements and questions, such as γράφω ένα μήνυμα — I am writing a message.
- Subjunctive: forms commonly used with να, such as θέλω να γράψω — I want to write. The ending still changes with the person: θέλω να γράψεις — I want you to write.
- Imperative: instructions and requests, such as γράψε το όνομά σου — write your name.
5. Read the voice labels and usage notes
Active: γράφω — I write. Middle/passive: γράφεται — it is written. A middle/passive ending does not always mean someone receives an action: έρχομαι means “I come”, and θυμάμαι means “I remember”.
Some tables use the shorter heading “Passive”. Read it together with the verb’s meaning and notes rather than translating every form as “is … by someone”.
What do the symbols mean?
- Commas or slashes: alternative forms, such as αγαπάω / αγαπώ. They may differ in style or context; consult the notes.
- Parentheses: optional letters. γράφουν(ε) means γράφουν or γράφουνε.
- A dash or an omitted section: a form is not supplied here. The notes explain limitations; an omission alone does not prove a form is impossible.
- Source-model numbers: optional references used to group comparable tables. You do not need to learn the numbers.
On a small screen, swipe sideways inside a wide table. Use Print / Save PDF on a verb page for a study copy.