Learn Greek › B1 › κανά
κανά
some, a few (used before a noun or number to mean roughly, about, or a couple of) /kaˈna/
otherB1#1852 most common
Also: a, any
Example sentences
Θες κανά τσιγάρο;
Do you want a cigarette (or so)?
Πάρε κανά μήλο από το τραπέζι.
Take an apple or so from the table.
Θα μείνουμε κανά δυο μέρες στην Αθήνα.
We'll stay a couple of days in Athens.
Έχεις κανά βιβλίο να μου δανείσεις;
Do you have a book you could lend me?
Ήρθαν κανά δέκα άτομα στο πάρτι.
About ten people showed up at the party.
Αν έχεις κανά παράπονο, πες το τώρα και όχι αργότερα.
If you have any complaint, say it now and not later.
Word family
κανέναςnobody / anyone / someone (masc.)
καμία / καμιάnobody / anyone / someone (fem.)
κανέναfull, uncontracted form of κανά (neuter)
κάνα-δυοfixed phrase: a couple, a pair
Etymology
Κανά is a colloquial, worn-down form of κανένα, the neuter singular of κανένας. Κανένας itself goes back to the phrase καν ένας, meaning even one, where καν is a fusion of και (and, even) and αν (if). Over time speakers shortened κανένα to κανά in casual speech, especially before nouns and numbers, giving it the loose sense of some or about.
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