The verb λέω (continued)

More meanings of the verb λέω (basic meaning: I say). 


Λέω, λές, λέει, λέμε, λέτε, λένε


We can use λέω in several situations. 

• Λέω ...
• την αλήθεια (I tell the truth)
• ψέμματα (I tell lies)
• κάτι (I say something)
• τα νέα (I tell the news)
• τον καιρό (I give the weather forecast)

Examples

Λές την αλήθεια ή λές ψέμματα; (Are you telling the truth or are you lying?)

Η τηλεόραση λέει τον καιρό. (The television is giving the weather forecast)

Πές * κάτι. (Say something)

Πές* μου τα νέα σου. (Tell me your news)

Πείτε μου το όνομά σας. (Polite and formal form of "What's your name?")

*imperative form of the verb λέω: πές, πείτε (second person, plural).

• Λέω (usually in the 3rd person) = Is ... good? How is ... going? 

Examples

- Τί λέει η δουλειά; (How is business/work?)

- Καλά. (OK)

- Λέει η καθηγήτριά σου; (Is your teacher good?)

 - Ναί, λέει. (Yes, she is good)

- Όχι, δέ λέει! (No, she is not good)

• Λές; = Do you think so? 

Examples

- Θα βρέξει. (It's going to rain)

- Λές; (You think so?)

- Κάνει καλή δουλειά. (He is doing a good job)

- Λές; (You think so?)

• Λέω (usually in the 3rd plural) = That's what people say

Examples

- Έχει παντρευτεί έξι φορές. (He has been married six times)

- Αλήθεια; (Really?)

- Έτσι λένε ... (That's what people say ... )

Λέω να ... = I am thinking of ...

• To express an intention or a plan, it is very common in Modern Greek to use the structure: 

λέω να + subjunctive 


... which translates as: "I'm thinking of ...-ing"


*the basic meaning of the verb λέω is "I say", but when used together with να (λέω να), it changes meaning.


Examples: 


Λέω να πάω έξω (I'm thinking of going out)


Λέω να δώ μια ταινία στο σινεμά 
(I'm thinking of seeing a movie at the cinema)

• We can also use the verb λέω to ask the question: What do you think? 

Τί λές; Είναι καλή ιδέα να ταξιδέψω άρρωστος; 
(What do you think? Is it a good idea to travel while being sick?)






Next time I will discuss further uses of the verb λέω.