Learn Greek › B1 › ουσιαστικά
ουσιαστικά
essentially /usiaˈstika/
adverbB1#1970 most common
Also: basically, fundamentally, in effect
Example sentences
Ουσιαστικά, δεν έχω χρόνο.
Essentially, I don't have time.
Το φαγητό ήταν ουσιαστικά έτοιμο.
The food was essentially ready.
Ουσιαστικά, συμφωνούμε και οι δύο.
Essentially, we both agree.
Η κυβέρνηση δεν έκανε ουσιαστικά τίποτα για το πρόβλημα.
The government did essentially nothing about the problem.
Ουσιαστικά, η απόφαση είχε ληφθεί πριν από τη συνάντηση.
Essentially, the decision had already been made before the meeting.
Ουσιαστικά, πρόκειται για επανάληψη της ίδιας πολιτικής με άλλο όνομα.
Essentially, this is a repeat of the same policy under a different name.
Word family
ουσίαessence, substance
ουσιαστικόςessential, substantive
ουσιαστικόnoun (part of speech)
ουσιώδηςessential, material
Etymology
The word comes from ουσία, ancient Greek for being or essence, which in turn derives from the verb εἰμί, to be. An adjective, ουσιαστικός, formed on this root, and ουσιαστικά is its neuter plural used as an adverb. The sense moved from grammar and philosophy, where ουσία meant the core substance of a thing, to everyday speech, where ουσιαστικά now flags the real point beneath the surface of a statement.
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
More Greek words
θέλησηwill (willpower, the mental faculty of wanting and deciding)θεούληlittle god (an affectionate or ironic nickname for someone treated as a darling)μπάνταband (a group of musicians)μέθοδοςmethodαυγήdawnχόρτοgrassκλειδαριάlock (the device that fastens a door, drawer, etc.)ευχάριστοςpleasant, enjoyable