Learn Greek › A2 › γιατί
γιατί
why /ˈʝati/
conjunctionA2#575 most common
Also: because
Example sentences
Γιατί δεν ήρθες χθες;
Why didn't you come yesterday?
Γιατί είναι τόσο αργά;
Why is it so late?
Μπορείς να μου πεις γιατί δεν το έκανες;
Can you tell me why you didn't do it?
Γιατί χρειάζεσαι βοήθεια;
Why do you need help?
Δεν καταλαβαίνω γιατί είσαι θυμωμένος.
I don't understand why you are angry.
Γιατί αποφάσισες να φύγεις;
Why did you decide to leave?
Word family
Etymology
The Modern Greek word 'γιατί' meaning 'why' derives from the Ancient Greek 'διὰ τί', which is a combination of 'διὰ' (through, by) and 'τί' (what). This phrase was used to inquire about the reason or cause of something, and over time it contracted into the single word 'γιατί'.
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Every word here is a full Polylex card with native audio and spaced repetition, so 1,406 words actually move into long-term memory.
Start free