Learn Greek › B2 › εαν
εαν
if /eˈan/
particleB2#2071 most common
Also: whether, in case
Example sentences
Εάν θέλεις, έλα μαζί μου.
If you want, come with me.
Εάν βρέξει αύριο, θα μείνουμε σπίτι.
If it rains tomorrow, we will stay home.
Δεν ξέρω εάν θα προλάβω να έρθω στο πάρτι.
I don't know if I will make it to the party.
Εάν είχα περισσότερο χρόνο, θα ταξίδευα πιο συχνά.
If I had more time, I would travel more often.
Εάν η κυβέρνηση δεν λάβει μέτρα, η κατάσταση θα επιδεινωθεί.
If the government does not take measures, the situation will worsen.
Εάν αναλογιστεί κανείς τις συνέπειες, η απόφαση αυτή φαντάζει επιπόλαιη.
If one considers the consequences, this decision looks reckless.
Word family
ανif (informal, everyday equivalent of εάν)
εφόσονprovided that, as long as
άραγεI wonder whether (expresses doubt, often paired with conditional clauses)κι ανeven if
Etymology
Εάν comes from the fusion of the Ancient Greek conditional conjunction εἰ, meaning "if", with the modal particle ἄν, which marks possibility or contingency. Over time the two words merged into one, giving εάν its present form. The shorter colloquial variant αν developed later by dropping the initial vowel. Both forms survive today, with εάν favored in formal or written Greek.
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