Learn Greek › A1 › μάλιστα
μάλιστα
certainly; yes (formal) /ˈmalista/
adverbA1#164 most common
Also: especially, particularly, indeed, in fact, of course
Example sentences
Μάλιστα, κύριε.
Yes, sir.
— Είστε ο κύριος Παπαδόπουλος; — Μάλιστα.
— Are you Mr. Papadopoulos? — Yes, I am.
Μου αρέσει πολύ η μουσική, και μάλιστα η τζαζ.
I really like music, and especially jazz.
Ήρθαν πολλοί φίλοι, μάλιστα και μερικοί που δεν περίμενα.
Many friends came, indeed even a few I wasn't expecting.
Το συνιστώ ανεπιφύλακτα· μάλιστα, θα έλεγα ότι είναι το καλύτερο βιβλίο της χρονιάς.
I recommend it without reservation; in fact, I'd say it's the best book of the year.
Η θεωρία του είναι αμφιλεγόμενη· μάλιστα, ορισμένοι μελετητές τη θεωρούν εντελώς αβάσιμη.
His theory is controversial; indeed, some scholars consider it entirely unfounded.
Word family
μάλαvery, much (positive of the degree triad)
μᾶλλονmore, rather (comparative of the degree triad)
βέβαιαcertainly, of course (affirmative synonym)
φυσικάnaturally, of course (affirmative synonym)
Etymology
From Ancient Greek μάλιστα, the superlative adverb of μάλα ‘very, much’ (whose comparative is μᾶλλον ‘more, rather’). Its original sense was ‘most of all, especially, above all’, which survives in Modern Greek alongside its later, very common use as an emphatic and polite affirmative, ‘yes, certainly’.
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