Learn Greek › C1 › έιμαι
έιμαι
to be (I am) /ˈi.me/
verbC1#3061 most common
Also: I exist, I am (located)
Example sentences
Είμαι καλά.
I am fine.
Είσαι από την Ελλάδα;
Are you from Greece?
Ο Γιάννης είναι δάσκαλος.
Yannis is a teacher.
Ήμουν στο σπίτι όταν τηλεφώνησες.
I was at home when you called.
Θα είμαστε έτοιμοι μέχρι τις πέντε.
We will be ready by five.
Αν ήμουν στη θέση σου, δεν θα το έκανα.
If I were in your position, I would not do it.
Conjugation
| Present Active | Simple Past Active | Simple Future Active | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1sg | είμαι | ήμουν | θα είμαι |
| 2sg | είσαι | ήσουν | θα είσαι |
| 3sg | είναι | ήταν | θα είναι |
| 1pl | είμαστε | ήμασταν | θα είμαστε |
| 2pl | είστε | ήσασταν | θα είστε |
| 3pl | είναι | ήταν | θα είναι |
Word family
Etymology
Είμαι descends from Ancient Greek εἰμί, one of the oldest and most irregular verbs in the language. It traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root for existence, the same root that gives many European languages their verb 'to be'. Because the verb is so basic and so frequent, it kept irregular, suppletive forms rather than leveling out like ordinary verbs.
Learn Greek the way that sticks.
Every word here is a full Polylex card with native audio and spaced repetition, so 3,509 words actually move into long-term memory.
Start free
Every word here is a full Polylex card with native audio and spaced repetition, so 3,509 words actually move into long-term memory.
Start free