How can you tell the difference between Greek first conjugation and the second conjugation?
Im attempting to teach myself Greek, and not anywhere could I find a place where it said the difference. Is there even a difference? Also, when conjugating verbs, how do I know what the letter from the stem changes to? Like, the ψ and φ in γραφω and γραψω.
Greek verbs are quite unpredictable so it is probably better to think of ‘first stem’ and ’second stem’ rather than conjugations, and learn both stems together.
With lots of verbs the second stem is made with with consonant + /s/
/evo/ /avo/ have /ps/
δουλεύω / δουλέψω (work)
γράφω / γράψω (write)
βάφω / βάψω (paint / dye)
And verbs with /-azo/ have second stem in /-axo/
αλλάζω / αλλάξω (change)
τινάζω / τινάξω (blow up)
μπειράζω / μπειράξω (disturb)
Verbs with stress on the last syllable, or with the ending ‘-άω’ have a second stem ending in ‘-ήσω’
απαντώ / απαντήσω (answer)
αγαπώ / αγαπήσω (love, fall in love)
μετράω / μετρήσω (count, measure)
A number of verbs have completely different stems:
λέω / πώ (say)
πηγαίνω / πάω (go)
πίνω / πιώ (drink)
So it’s probably best until you get the idea to learn the two stems together. Hope this helps.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Greek verbs are quite unpredictable so it is probably better to think of ‘first stem’ and ’second stem’ rather than conjugations, and learn both stems together.
With lots of verbs the second stem is made with with consonant + /s/
/evo/ /avo/ have /ps/
δουλεύω / δουλέψω (work)
γράφω / γράψω (write)
βάφω / βάψω (paint / dye)
And verbs with /-azo/ have second stem in /-axo/
αλλάζω / αλλάξω (change)
τινάζω / τινάξω (blow up)
μπειράζω / μπειράξω (disturb)
Verbs with stress on the last syllable, or with the ending ‘-άω’ have a second stem ending in ‘-ήσω’
απαντώ / απαντήσω (answer)
αγαπώ / αγαπήσω (love, fall in love)
μετράω / μετρήσω (count, measure)
A number of verbs have completely different stems:
λέω / πώ (say)
πηγαίνω / πάω (go)
πίνω / πιώ (drink)
So it’s probably best until you get the idea to learn the two stems together. Hope this helps.
References :
Long term resident of Greece, language teacher.