Welcome to Lesson 19 of the Latinum Institute's Koine Greek course. In this lesson, we will explore the demonstrative pronoun "this" in Koine Greek. For a complete index of all lessons in this course, please visit https://latinum.substack.com/p/index.
The word "this" in Koine Greek is expressed by the demonstrative pronoun οὗτος (houtos) in its various forms. Unlike English, which uses one form regardless of gender, Greek requires different forms for masculine (οὗτος), feminine (αὕτη), and neuter (τοῦτο) genders, as well as different forms for singular and plural, and for different grammatical cases.
Question: What does "this" mean in Koine Greek? Answer: "This" in Koine Greek is the demonstrative pronoun οὗτος/αὕτη/τοῦτο (houtos/hautē/touto), which points to something near the speaker or recently mentioned. It changes form based on gender, number, and case.
Course: Koine Greek Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Demonstrative Pronouns - "This" Language of Instruction: English Target Language: Koine (Hellenistic) Greek Learning Objective: Students will learn to recognize and use the demonstrative pronoun "this" in various forms and contexts Prerequisites: Basic understanding of Greek alphabet and pronunciation
In this lesson, the demonstrative pronoun "this" will be used in various contexts to show its different forms and functions. You'll encounter it as a subject, object, and modifier in different cases, helping you understand how it adapts to grammatical requirements while maintaining its essential meaning of pointing to something specific.
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Greek "this" has three genders: οὗτος (masculine), αὕτη (feminine), τοῦτο (neuter) -
It changes form based on grammatical case (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative) -
It can function as both a pronoun (standing alone) and an adjective (modifying a noun) -
Word order is more flexible than English, often following the noun it modifies -
Understanding "this" is essential for reading Greek texts as it frequently appears in narrative and dialogue
19.1a οὗτος this ὁ the ἄνθρωπος man ἐστιν is ὁ the διδάσκαλος teacher 19.1b houtos (hou-tos) this ho (ho) the anthrōpos (an-thrō-pos) man estin (es-tin) is ho (ho) the didaskalos (di-das-ka-los) teacher
19.2a αὕτη this ἡ the γυνὴ woman βλέπει sees τὸν the παῖδα child 19.2b hautē (hau-tē) this hē (hē) the gunē (gu-nē) woman blepei (ble-pei) sees ton (ton) the paida (pai-da) child
19.3a τοῦτο this τὸ the βιβλίον book ἐστιν is καλόν good 19.3b touto (tou-to) this to (to) the biblion (bib-li-on) book estin (es-tin) is kalon (ka-lon) good
19.4a εἶδον I-saw τοῦτον this τὸν the ἄνδρα man ἐν in τῇ the ἀγορᾷ marketplace 19.4b eidon (ei-don) I-saw touton (tou-ton) this ton (ton) the andra (an-dra) man en (en) in tē (tē) the agora (a-go-ra) marketplace
19.5a δίδωμι I-give ταύτην this τὴν the ἐπιστολὴν letter σοι to-you 19.5b didōmi (di-dō-mi) I-give tautēn (tau-tēn) this tēn (tēn) the epistolēn (e-pis-to-lēn) letter soi (soi) to-you
19.6a τούτου this τοῦ the ἀνθρώπου man ἡ the οἰκία house μεγάλη large ἐστίν is 19.6b toutou (tou-tou) this tou (tou) the anthrōpou (an-thrō-pou) man hē (hē) the oikia (oi-ki-a) house megalē (me-ga-lē) large estin (es-tin) is
19.7a ἐν in ταύτῃ this τῇ the ἡμέρᾳ day ἦλθον they-came πάντες all 19.7b en (en) in tautē (tau-tē) this tē (tē) the hēmera (hē-me-ra) day ēlthon (ēl-thon) they-came pantes (pan-tes) all
19.8a λέγει he-says ταῦτα these τὰ the ῥήματα words πρὸς to αὐτούς them 19.8b legei (le-gei) he-says tauta (tau-ta) these ta (ta) the rhēmata (rhē-ma-ta) words pros (pros) to autous (au-tous) them
19.9a οὗτοί these εἰσιν are οἱ the μαθηταὶ disciples μου my 19.9b houtoi (hou-toi) these eisin (ei-sin) are hoi (hoi) the mathētai (ma-thē-tai) disciples mou (mou) my
19.10a τούτοις to-these τοῖς the ἀνθρώποις men λαλῶ I-speak περὶ about τοῦ the θεοῦ God 19.10b toutois (tou-tois) to-these tois (tois) the anthrōpois (an-thrō-pois) men lalō (la-lō) I-speak peri (pe-ri) about tou (tou) the theou (the-ou) God
19.11a αὗται these αἱ the γυναῖκες women ἀκούουσιν hear τὸν the λόγον word 19.11b hautai (hau-tai) these hai (hai) the gunaikes (gu-nai-kes) women akouousin (a-kou-ou-sin) hear ton (ton) the logon (lo-gon) word
19.12a ἔρχεται he-comes εἰς into τοῦτο this τὸ the ἱερόν temple καθ' each ἡμέραν day 19.12b erchetai (er-che-tai) he-comes eis (eis) into touto (tou-to) this to (to) the hieron (hi-e-ron) temple kath' (kath) each hēmeran (hē-me-ran) day
19.13a διὰ through τοῦτο this γινώσκομεν we-know τὴν the ἀλήθειαν truth 19.13b dia (di-a) through touto (tou-to) this ginōskomen (gi-nōs-ko-men) we-know tēn (tēn) the alētheian (a-lē-thei-an) truth
19.14a μετὰ after ταῦτα these εἶδεν he-saw ἄλλον another 19.14b meta (me-ta) after tauta (tau-ta) these eiden (ei-den) he-saw allon (al-lon) another
19.15a τούτων these τῶν the πραγμάτων things αἴτιός responsible ἐστιν is ὁ the βασιλεύς king 19.15b toutōn (tou-tōn) these tōn (tōn) the pragmatōn (prag-ma-tōn) things aitios (ai-ti-os) responsible estin (es-tin) is ho (ho) the basileus (ba-si-leus) king
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19.1 οὗτος ὁ ἄνθρωπός ἐστιν ὁ διδάσκαλος. This man is the teacher.
19.2 αὕτη ἡ γυνὴ βλέπει τὸν παῖδα. This woman sees the child.
19.3 τοῦτο τὸ βιβλίον ἐστιν καλόν. This book is good.
19.4 εἶδον τοῦτον τὸν ἄνδρα ἐν τῇ ἀγορᾷ. I saw this man in the marketplace.
19.5 δίδωμι ταύτην τὴν ἐπιστολὴν σοι. I give this letter to you.
19.6 τούτου τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἡ οἰκία μεγάλη ἐστίν. This man's house is large.
19.7 ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἦλθον πάντες. On this day all came.
19.8 λέγει ταῦτα τὰ ῥήματα πρὸς αὐτούς. He speaks these words to them.
19.9 οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ μαθηταί μου. These are my disciples.
19.10 τούτοις τοῖς ἀνθρώποις λαλῶ περὶ τοῦ θεοῦ. To these men I speak about God.
19.11 αὗται αἱ γυναῖκες ἀκούουσιν τὸν λόγον. These women hear the word.
19.12 ἔρχεται εἰς τοῦτο τὸ ἱερὸν καθ' ἡμέραν. He comes into this temple each day.
19.13 διὰ τοῦτο γινώσκομεν τὴν ἀλήθειαν. Through this we know the truth.
19.14 μετὰ ταῦτα εἶδεν ἄλλον. After these things he saw another.
19.15 τούτων τῶν πραγμάτων αἴτιός ἐστιν ὁ βασιλεύς. The king is responsible for these matters.
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19.1 οὗτος ὁ ἄνθρωπός ἐστιν ὁ διδάσκαλος.
19.2 αὕτη ἡ γυνὴ βλέπει τὸν παῖδα.
19.3 τοῦτο τὸ βιβλίον ἐστιν καλόν.
19.4 εἶδον τοῦτον τὸν ἄνδρα ἐν τῇ ἀγορᾷ.
19.5 δίδωμι ταύτην τὴν ἐπιστολὴν σοι.
19.6 τούτου τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἡ οἰκία μεγάλη ἐστίν.
19.7 ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἦλθον πάντες.
19.8 λέγει ταῦτα τὰ ῥήματα πρὸς αὐτούς.
19.9 οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ μαθηταί μου.
19.10 τούτοις τοῖς ἀνθρώποις λαλῶ περὶ τοῦ θεοῦ.
19.11 αὗται αἱ γυναῖκες ἀκούουσιν τὸν λόγον.
19.12 ἔρχεται εἰς τοῦτο τὸ ἱερὸν καθ' ἡμέραν.
19.13 διὰ τοῦτο γινώσκομεν τὴν ἀλήθειαν.
19.14 μετὰ ταῦτα εἶδεν ἄλλον.
19.15 τούτων τῶν πραγμάτων αἴτιός ἐστιν ὁ βασιλεύς.
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The demonstrative pronoun "this" in Koine Greek is much more complex than its English counterpart. Here are the essential rules:
Gender Agreement: Unlike English "this," Greek requires three different forms: -
Masculine: οὗτος (houtos) -
Feminine: αὕτη (hautē) -
Neuter: τοῦτο (touto)
Case System: The form changes based on grammatical function: -
Nominative (subject): οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο -
Genitive (possession/of): τούτου, ταύτης, τούτου -
Dative (to/for/with): τούτῳ, ταύτῃ, τούτῳ -
Accusative (direct object): τοῦτον, ταύτην, τοῦτο
Complete Declension:
Singular: -
Masculine: οὗτος, τούτου, τούτῳ, τοῦτον -
Feminine: αὕτη, ταύτης, ταύτῃ, ταύτην -
Neuter: τοῦτο, τούτου, τούτῳ, τοῦτο
Plural: -
Masculine: οὗτοι, τούτων, τούτοις, τούτους -
Feminine: αὗται, τούτων, ταύταις, ταύτας -
Neuter: ταῦτα, τούτων, τούτοις, ταῦτα
Position and Usage: -
When used with a noun, it typically comes before the article: οὗτος ὁ ἄνθρωπος (this man) -
It can stand alone as a pronoun: οὗτος λέγει (this one speaks) -
In predicate position: ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος (this man/the man, this one)
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Gender Confusion: English speakers often use masculine forms for all genders. Remember to match the gender of the noun being referenced. -
Article Placement: Students frequently place "this" after the article (*ὁ οὗτος ἄνθρωπος), which is incorrect. Correct order: οὗτος ὁ ἄνθρωπος. -
Case Errors: Using nominative forms in all positions. The form must change based on grammatical function. -
Vowel Changes: Not recognizing that the stem changes (οὑτ-/ταυτ-) in different cases.
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Identify what "this" refers to - Is it masculine, feminine, or neuter? -
Determine the grammatical function - Is it subject, object, possessive, etc.? -
Select the correct form based on gender and case -
Check word order - Remember it typically precedes the article when modifying a noun
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English has one form; Greek has 24 different forms -
Greek requires gender agreement; English doesn't -
Greek word order is more flexible but follows specific patterns -
Greek can use "this" substantively (as a noun) more readily than English
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Understanding the demonstrative pronoun "this" in Koine Greek provides insight into how ancient Greek speakers conceptualized proximity and reference. In the Hellenistic period, when Koine Greek was the lingua franca of the eastern Mediterranean, precise demonstrative reference was crucial for clear communication across diverse cultural groups.
The Greek demonstrative system reflects a worldview that emphasized precise spatial and conceptual relationships. While English speakers might say "this book" regardless of the book's specific relationship to other objects or concepts, Greek speakers were required to consider gender, number, and grammatical role, creating a more nuanced system of reference.
In New Testament Greek, οὗτος often carries theological significance. When Jesus says "This is my body" (τοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ σῶμά μου) at the Last Supper, the neuter form τοῦτο agrees with σῶμα (body), demonstrating how grammar shapes theological expression. Similarly, the phrase "after these things" (μετὰ ταῦτα) frequently marks narrative transitions in biblical texts.
The demonstrative also played a crucial role in Greek philosophical discourse. Philosophers used precise demonstrative reference to distinguish between immediate phenomena (indicated by οὗτος) and more distant or abstract concepts (indicated by ἐκεῖνος, "that"). This linguistic precision facilitated the development of complex philosophical arguments.
For English speakers learning Koine Greek, mastering demonstratives opens a window into ancient Mediterranean thought patterns. The requirement to match gender and case forces learners to pay attention to grammatical relationships that English obscures, developing a more analytical approach to language that mirrors ancient Greek cognitive patterns.
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From the Gospel of John 1:29-34 (Byzantine Text):
Τῇ ἐπαύριον βλέπει τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτόν, καὶ λέγει· Ἴδε ὁ ἀμνὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ὁ αἴρων τὴν ἁμαρτίαν τοῦ κόσμου. οὗτός ἐστιν ὑπὲρ οὗ ἐγὼ εἶπον· Ὀπίσω μου ἔρχεται ἀνὴρ ὃς ἔμπροσθέν μου γέγονεν, ὅτι πρῶτός μου ἦν. κἀγὼ οὐκ ᾔδειν αὐτόν, ἀλλ' ἵνα φανερωθῇ τῷ Ἰσραήλ, διὰ τοῦτο ἦλθον ἐγὼ ἐν ὕδατι βαπτίζων.
Τῇ on-the ἐπαύριον next-day βλέπει he-sees τὸν the Ἰησοῦν Jesus ἐρχόμενον coming πρὸς toward αὐτόν him καὶ and λέγει he-says Ἴδε behold ὁ the ἀμνὸς lamb τοῦ of-the θεοῦ God ὁ the-one αἴρων taking-away τὴν the ἁμαρτίαν sin τοῦ of-the κόσμου world οὗτός this-one ἐστιν is ὑπὲρ concerning οὗ whom ἐγὼ I εἶπον said Ὀπίσω after μου me ἔρχεται comes ἀνὴρ a-man ὃς who ἔμπροσθέν before μου me γέγονεν has-become ὅτι because πρῶτός first μου of-me ἦν he-was κἀγὼ and-I οὐκ not ᾔδειν knew αὐτόν him ἀλλ' but ἵνα that φανερωθῇ he-might-be-revealed τῷ to-the Ἰσραήλ Israel διὰ because-of τοῦτο this ἦλθον came ἐγὼ I ἐν in ὕδατι water βαπτίζων baptizing
Tē (tē) epaurion (e-pau-ri-on) blepei (ble-pei) ton (ton) Iēsoun (I-ē-soun) erchomenon (er-cho-me-non) pros (pros) auton (au-ton) kai (kai) legei (le-gei) Ide (i-de) ho (ho) amnos (am-nos) tou (tou) theou (the-ou) ho (ho) airōn (ai-rōn) tēn (tēn) hamartian (ha-mar-ti-an) tou (tou) kosmou (kos-mou) houtos (hou-tos) estin (es-tin) huper (hu-per) hou (hou) egō (e-gō) eipon (ei-pon) Opisō (o-pi-sō) mou (mou) erchetai (er-che-tai) anēr (a-nēr) hos (hos) emprosthen (em-pros-then) mou (mou) gegonen (ge-go-nen) hoti (ho-ti) prōtos (prō-tos) mou (mou) ēn (ēn) kagō (ka-gō) ouk (ouk) ēdein (ē-dein) auton (au-ton) all' (all) hina (hi-na) phanerōthē (pha-ne-rō-thē) tō (tō) Israēl (Is-ra-ēl) dia (di-a) touto (tou-to) ēlthon (ēl-thon) egō (e-gō) en (en) hudati (hu-da-ti) baptizōn (bap-ti-zōn)
Τῇ ἐπαύριον βλέπει τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτόν, καὶ λέγει· Ἴδε ὁ ἀμνὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ὁ αἴρων τὴν ἁμαρτίαν τοῦ κόσμου. οὗτός ἐστιν ὑπὲρ οὗ ἐγὼ εἶπον· Ὀπίσω μου ἔρχεται ἀνὴρ ὃς ἔμπροσθέν μου γέγονεν, ὅτι πρῶτός μου ἦν. κἀγὼ οὐκ ᾔδειν αὐτόν, ἀλλ' ἵνα φανερωθῇ τῷ Ἰσραήλ, διὰ τοῦτο ἦλθον ἐγὼ ἐν ὕδατι βαπτίζων.
The next day he sees Jesus coming toward him, and says: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is he concerning whom I said, 'After me comes a man who has become before me, because he was first of me.' And I did not know him, but in order that he might be revealed to Israel, for this reason I came baptizing in water."
Τῇ ἐπαύριον βλέπει τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτόν, καὶ λέγει· Ἴδε ὁ ἀμνὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ὁ αἴρων τὴν ἁμαρτίαν τοῦ κόσμου. οὗτός ἐστιν ὑπὲρ οὗ ἐγὼ εἶπον· Ὀπίσω μου ἔρχεται ἀνὴρ ὃς ἔμπροσθέν μου γέγονεν, ὅτι πρῶτός μου ἦν. κἀγὼ οὐκ ᾔδειν αὐτόν, ἀλλ' ἵνα φανερωθῇ τῷ Ἰσραήλ, διὰ τοῦτο ἦλθον ἐγὼ ἐν ὕδατι βαπτίζων.
This passage from John's Gospel showcases two crucial uses of the demonstrative pronoun. First, οὗτός (this one) appears in emphatic position at the beginning of a sentence, identifying Jesus as the specific person John the Baptist had previously mentioned. This usage demonstrates the pronoun's power to create textual cohesion by linking present reality with past prophecy.
Second, διὰ τοῦτο (because of this/for this reason) shows how the neuter form functions in abstract reference. Here it doesn't point to a physical object but to John's entire purpose and mission. This prepositional phrase with the demonstrative is a common Greek idiom for expressing causation.
The passage also illustrates the flexibility of Greek word order. While οὗτός could have appeared later in its clause, placing it first creates emphasis—"THIS is the one!" This emphatic positioning is impossible in English without adding extra words or changing intonation.
For beginning Greek students, this text demonstrates how demonstratives work in real literary contexts. John the Baptist uses precise demonstrative reference to make theological claims about Jesus' identity, showing how grammar serves meaning in religious texts. The archaeological context of first-century Judaism, where ritual washing was common, gives additional meaning to John's baptizing ministry, which he explains using the purposive construction with διὰ τοῦτο.
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19.16a οὗτος this ὁ the νεανίας young-man ἐρωτᾷ asks τί what ἐστιν is ἀρετή virtue 19.16b houtos (hou-tos) this ho (ho) the neanias (ne-a-ni-as) young-man erōta (e-rō-ta) asks ti (ti) what estin (es-tin) is aretē (a-re-tē) virtue
19.17a εἰ if τοῦτο this ἀληθές true λέγεις you-say δεῖξον show μοι to-me 19.17b ei (ei) if touto (tou-to) this alēthes (a-lē-thes) true legeis (le-geis) you-say deixon (dei-xon) show moi (moi) to-me
19.18a ταύτην this τὴν the δόξαν opinion οὐ not παραδέχομαι I-accept ὦ O φίλε friend 19.18b tautēn (tau-tēn) this tēn (tēn) the doxan (do-xan) opinion ou (ou) not paradechomai (pa-ra-de-cho-mai) I-accept ō (ō) O phile (phi-le) friend
19.19a τούτων these τῶν the λόγων words τίς which σοι to-you φαίνεται seems ὀρθότερος more-correct 19.19b toutōn (tou-tōn) these tōn (tōn) the logōn (lo-gōn) words tis (tis) which soi (soi) to-you phainetai (phai-ne-tai) seems orthoteros (or-tho-te-ros) more-correct
19.20a διὰ because-of τοῦτο this τὸ the παράδειγμα example μανθάνω I-learn τὴν the ἀλήθειαν truth 19.20b dia (di-a) because-of touto (tou-to) this to (to) the paradeigma (pa-ra-deig-ma) example manthanō (man-tha-nō) I-learn tēn (tēn) the alētheian (a-lē-thei-an) truth
19.21a οὗτοι these οἱ the φιλόσοφοι philosophers ζητοῦσιν seek τὴν the σοφίαν wisdom πάντοτε always 19.21b houtoi (hou-toi) these hoi (hoi) the philosophoi (phi-lo-so-phoi) philosophers zētousin (zē-tou-sin) seek tēn (tēn) the sophian (so-phi-an) wisdom pantote (pan-to-te) always
19.22a ἐν in ταύτῃ this τῇ the συζητήσει discussion εὑρίσκομεν we-find τὴν the λύσιν solution 19.22b en (en) in tautē (tau-tē) this tē (tē) the suzētēsei (su-zē-tē-sei) discussion heuriskomen (heu-ris-ko-men) we-find tēn (tēn) the lusin (lu-sin) solution
19.23a τοῦτό this ἐστιν is τὸ the μέγιστον greatest τῶν the ἀγαθῶν goods ἡ the γνῶσις knowledge 19.23b touto (tou-to) this estin (es-tin) is to (to) the megiston (me-gis-ton) greatest tōn (tōn) the agathōn (a-ga-thōn) goods hē (hē) the gnōsis (gnō-sis) knowledge
19.24a αὕτη this ἡ the μέθοδος method ὁδηγεῖ leads πρὸς to τὴν the εὐδαιμονίαν happiness 19.24b hautē (hau-tē) this hē (hē) the methodos (me-tho-dos) method hodēgei (ho-dē-gei) leads pros (pros) to tēn (tēn) the eudaimonian (eu-dai-mo-ni-an) happiness
19.25a τούτους these τοὺς the μύθους myths παραδίδωσιν transmits ὁ the ποιητής poet 19.25b toutous (tou-tous) these tous (tous) the muthous (mu-thous) myths paradidōsin (pa-ra-di-dō-sin) transmits ho (ho) the poiētēs (poi-ē-tēs) poet
19.26a μετὰ after ταῦτα these τὰ the ἐπιχειρήματα arguments τί what λέγεις you-say 19.26b meta (me-ta) after tauta (tau-ta) these ta (ta) the epicheirēmata (e-pi-chei-rē-ma-ta) arguments ti (ti) what legeis (le-geis) you-say
19.27a ταύταις with-these ταῖς the ἀποδείξεσιν proofs πείθεις you-persuade τοὺς the ἀκούοντας listeners 19.27b tautais (tau-tais) with-these tais (tais) the apodeixesin (a-po-dei-xe-sin) proofs peitheis (pei-theis) you-persuade tous (tous) the akouontas (a-kou-on-tas) listeners
19.28a οὕτως thus τοῦτο this τὸ the πρόβλημα problem λύεται is-solved ῥᾳδίως easily 19.28b houtōs (hou-tōs) thus touto (tou-to) this to (to) the problēma (prob-lē-ma) problem luetai (lu-e-tai) is-solved rhadiōs (rha-di-ōs) easily
19.29a περὶ concerning τούτων these τῶν the θεωρημάτων theorems διαλεγόμεθα we-discourse ἡμεῖς we 19.29b peri (pe-ri) concerning toutōn (tou-tōn) these tōn (tōn) the theōrēmatōn (the-ō-rē-ma-tōn) theorems dialegometha (di-a-le-go-me-tha) we-discourse hēmeis (hē-meis) we
19.30a τοῦτο this οὖν therefore συμπεραίνομεν we-conclude ἐκ from τῶν the εἰρημένων things-said 19.30b touto (tou-to) this oun (oun) therefore sumperainomen (sum-pe-rai-no-men) we-conclude ek (ek) from tōn (tōn) the eirēmenōn (ei-rē-me-nōn) things-said
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19.16 οὗτος ὁ νεανίας ἐρωτᾷ τί ἐστιν ἀρετή. This young man asks what virtue is.
19.17 εἰ τοῦτο ἀληθὲς λέγεις, δεῖξόν μοι. If you say this is true, show me.
19.18 ταύτην τὴν δόξαν οὐ παραδέχομαι, ὦ φίλε. This opinion I do not accept, O friend.
19.19 τούτων τῶν λόγων τίς σοι φαίνεται ὀρθότερος; Which of these arguments seems more correct to you?
19.20 διὰ τοῦτο τὸ παράδειγμα μανθάνω τὴν ἀλήθειαν. Through this example I learn the truth.
19.21 οὗτοι οἱ φιλόσοφοι ζητοῦσιν τὴν σοφίαν πάντοτε. These philosophers always seek wisdom.
19.22 ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ συζητήσει εὑρίσκομεν τὴν λύσιν. In this discussion we find the solution.
19.23 τοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ μέγιστον τῶν ἀγαθῶν, ἡ γνῶσις. This is the greatest of goods, knowledge.
19.24 αὕτη ἡ μέθοδος ὁδηγεῖ πρὸς τὴν εὐδαιμονίαν. This method leads to happiness.
19.25 τούτους τοὺς μύθους παραδίδωσιν ὁ ποιητής. These myths the poet transmits.
19.26 μετὰ ταῦτα τὰ ἐπιχειρήματα τί λέγεις; After these arguments what do you say?
19.27 ταύταις ταῖς ἀποδείξεσιν πείθεις τοὺς ἀκούοντας. With these proofs you persuade the listeners.
19.28 οὕτως τοῦτο τὸ πρόβλημα λύεται ῥᾳδίως. Thus this problem is solved easily.
19.29 περὶ τούτων τῶν θεωρημάτων διαλεγόμεθα ἡμεῖς. Concerning these theorems we discourse.
19.30 τοῦτο οὖν συμπεραίνομεν ἐκ τῶν εἰρημένων. This therefore we conclude from the things said.
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19.16 οὗτος ὁ νεανίας ἐρωτᾷ τί ἐστιν ἀρετή.
19.17 εἰ τοῦτο ἀληθὲς λέγεις, δεῖξόν μοι.
19.18 ταύτην τὴν δόξαν οὐ παραδέχομαι, ὦ φίλε.
19.19 τούτων τῶν λόγων τίς σοι φαίνεται ὀρθότερος;
19.20 διὰ τοῦτο τὸ παράδειγμα μανθάνω τὴν ἀλήθειαν.
19.21 οὗτοι οἱ φιλόσοφοι ζητοῦσιν τὴν σοφίαν πάντοτε.
19.22 ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ συζητήσει εὑρίσκομεν τὴν λύσιν.
19.23 τοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ μέγιστον τῶν ἀγαθῶν, ἡ γνῶσις.
19.24 αὕτη ἡ μέθοδος ὁδηγεῖ πρὸς τὴν εὐδαιμονίαν.
19.25 τούτους τοὺς μύθους παραδίδωσιν ὁ ποιητής.
19.26 μετὰ ταῦτα τὰ ἐπιχειρήματα τί λέγεις;
19.27 ταύταις ταῖς ἀποδείξεσιν πείθεις τοὺς ἀκούοντας.
19.28 οὕτως τοῦτο τὸ πρόβλημα λύεται ῥᾳδίως.
19.29 περὶ τούτων τῶν θεωρημάτων διαλεγόμεθα ἡμεῖς.
19.30 τοῦτο οὖν συμπεραίνομεν ἐκ τῶν εἰρημένων.
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In philosophical dialogue, the demonstrative pronoun "this" serves several specialized functions that English speakers must understand:
Referential Precision: Philosophers use demonstratives to maintain strict logical connections between propositions. When a philosopher says τοῦτο (this), they're creating a precise reference to a previously stated idea, ensuring clarity in complex arguments.
Argumentative Structure: The phrase διὰ τοῦτο (because of this/therefore) is fundamental in Greek philosophical reasoning. It explicitly marks causal relationships between ideas, something English often leaves implicit.
Contrast and Comparison: Greek philosophers frequently use demonstratives in pairs or series (τοῦτο...ἐκεῖνο, this...that) to set up philosophical distinctions. The partitive genitive with demonstratives (τούτων τῶν λόγων, "of these arguments") allows for precise selection among options.
Emphatic Positioning: In philosophical texts, demonstratives often appear in emphatic positions to highlight key concepts. The pattern τοῦτό ἐστιν (this is) frequently introduces definitions or crucial identifications.
Abstract Reference: Unlike everyday speech, philosophical Greek uses neuter demonstratives (τοῦτο, ταῦτα) to refer to abstract concepts, propositions, or entire arguments. This usage requires English speakers to think beyond physical reference.
Common Philosophical Patterns: -
οὕτως...ὥστε (thus...so that) for logical consequences -
μετὰ ταῦτα (after these things) for argumentative progression -
περὶ τούτων (concerning these things) for topic specification -
τοῦτο οὖν (this therefore) for conclusions
Translation Challenges: English philosophical prose often avoids repetitive use of "this," preferring pronouns or synonyms. Greek philosophical style embraces such repetition for clarity, requiring translators to balance fidelity with readability.
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The Latinum Institute's Ancient Language Courses use a unique reading-based method developed over nearly two decades of online language instruction. Since 2006, the Latinum Institute has been pioneering digital approaches to classical language learning, combining traditional philological rigor with modern pedagogical insights.
Our method centers on extensive interlinear reading, allowing students to absorb grammatical patterns naturally while building vocabulary through repeated exposure in context. Each lesson provides: -
Detailed word-by-word glossing with pronunciation guides -
Complete sentences showing natural word order -
Comprehensive grammar explanations tailored for English speakers -
Authentic literary texts with careful analysis -
Genre-specific examples to demonstrate varied usage
This approach proves particularly effective for autodidacts, as it requires no prior knowledge and allows students to progress at their own pace. The interlinear format eliminates the constant dictionary consultation that frustrates many beginners, while the progression from glossed to independent text gradually builds reading confidence.
The course materials draw from the Latinum Institute's extensive online resources at latinum.org.uk and latinum.substack.com, where students can find additional exercises, audio materials, and community support. The Institute's commitment to accessible classical education has earned recognition from educators worldwide, as evidenced by reviews at https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk.
For autodidacts, this method offers several advantages: -
Self-contained lessons requiring no external resources -
Clear progression from supported to independent reading -
Immediate access to authentic texts rather than artificial exercises -
Grammar taught inductively through examples -
Cultural and literary context integrated throughout
The Latinum Institute continues to refine these methods based on student feedback and advances in language learning research, maintaining its position at the forefront of online classical language education.
For a complete index of all available lessons and resources, please visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
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