This lesson explores one of the most essential features of Greek grammar: the interrogative and relative pronouns that allow speakers to ask questions and connect ideas. While English uses “who” for questions and relative clauses alike, Modern Greek distinguishes between ποιος (poios - interrogative “who?”) and που (pu - relative “who/that”) or ο οποίος (o opíos - formal relative “who”). These pronouns are fundamental to Greek sentence construction and appear constantly in both spoken and written communication.
Link to course index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “who” mean in Greek?
Modern Greek has several words for “who” depending on context. For questions, ποιος (masculine), ποια (feminine), and ποιο (neuter) ask “who?” or “which?”. These interrogative pronouns decline for case (nominative, genitive, accusative) and agree in gender and number with what they refer to. For relative clauses (non-questions), Greek primarily uses που (pu), an indeclinable word meaning “who/which/that”, or the more formal ο οποίος, η οποία, το οποίο which also declines for case, gender, and number. This lesson demonstrates all these forms through 30 practical examples showing how Greeks ask questions and connect clauses in natural speech.
Key Takeaways -
Ποιος/ποια/ποιο functions as an interrogative pronoun asking “who?” or “which?” -
Που is the most common relative pronoun meaning “who/which/that” -
Ο οποίος/η οποία/το οποίο provides a formal alternative to που in relative clauses -
Interrogative pronouns decline for three genders, two numbers, and three cases -
The relative pronoun που never changes form—it’s completely indeclinable -
Questions in Greek often place the interrogative pronoun at the beginning -
Relative pronouns connect descriptive clauses to nouns they modify
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41.1a Ποιος (poios) who-MASC.NOM είναι (eínai) is αυτός (aftós) this-one-MASC ο (o) the άνδρας (ándras) man
41.1b Poios (poios) who-MASC.NOM eínai (eínai) is aftós (aftós) this-one-MASC o (o) the ándras (ándras) man
41.2a Ποια (poia) who-FEM.NOM γυναίκα (yinéka) woman μίλησε (mílise) spoke μαζί (mazí) with σου (su) you-GEN
41.2b Poia (poia) who-FEM.NOM yinéka (yinéka) woman mílise (mílise) spoke mazí (mazí) with su (su) you-GEN
41.3a Το (to) the παιδί (pedí) child που (pu) who/that παίζει (pézei) plays είναι (eínai) is ευτυχισμένο (eftihisméno) happy
41.3b To (to) the pedí (pedí) child pu (pu) who/that pézei (pézei) plays eínai (eínai) is eftihisméno (eftihisméno) happy
41.4a Ποιου (piu) whose-MASC.GEN είναι (eínai) is αυτό (aftó) this το (to) the βιβλίο (vivlío) book
41.4b Piu (piu) whose-MASC.GEN eínai (eínai) is aftó (aftó) this to (to) the vivlío (vivlío) book
41.5a Ο (o) the άνθρωπος (ánthropos) person ο (o) the οποίος (opíos) who-MASC βοήθησε (voíthise) helped με (me) me-ACC είναι (eínai) is καλός (kalós) good
41.5b O (o) the ánthropos (ánthropos) person o (o) the opíos (opíos) who-MASC voíthise (voíthise) helped me (me) me-ACC eínai (eínai) is kalós (kalós) good
41.6a Ποιον (pion) whom-MASC.ACC θέλεις (thélis) want-you να (na) to δεις (dis) see
41.6b Pion (pion) whom-MASC.ACC thélis (thélis) want-you na (na) to dis (dis) see
41.7a Η (i) the δασκάλα (daskála) teacher-FEM που (pu) who/that διδάσκει (didáski) teaches ελληνικά (eliniká) Greek-ACC είναι (eínai) is άριστη (áristi) excellent
41.7b I (i) the daskála (daskála) teacher-FEM pu (pu) who/that didáski (didáski) teaches eliniká (eliniká) Greek-ACC eínai (eínai) is áristi (áristi) excellent
41.8a Ποιοι (pioi) who-MASC.PL.NOM ήρθαν (írthan) came στο (sto) to-the πάρτι (párti) party
41.8b Pioi (pioi) who-MASC.PL.NOM írthan (írthan) came sto (sto) to-the párti (párti) party
41.9a Τα (ta) the παιδιά (pediá) children τα (ta) the οποία (opía) who-NEUT.PL γελούν (yelún) laugh είναι (eínai) are ευτυχισμένα (eftihisména) happy
41.9b Ta (ta) the pediá (pediá) children ta (ta) the opía (opía) who-NEUT.PL yelún (yelún) laugh eínai (eínai) are eftihisména (eftihisména) happy
41.10a Ποιας (pias) whose-FEM.GEN η (i) the φίλη (fíli) friend-FEM είναι (eínai) is εδώ (edó) here
41.10b Pias (pias) whose-FEM.GEN i (i) the fíli (fíli) friend-FEM eínai (eínai) is edó (edó) here
41.11a Ο (o) the φοιτητής (fititís) student που (pu) who/that σπουδάζει (spudázi) studies ιατρική (iatrikí) medicine δουλεύει (dulévei) works σκληρά (sklirá) hard
41.11b O (o) the fititís (fititís) student pu (pu) who/that spudázi (spudázi) studies iatrikí (iatrikí) medicine dulévei (dulévei) works sklirá (sklirá) hard
41.12a Ποιους (pius) whom-MASC.PL.ACC γνωρίζεις (gnoríz
is) know-you στην (stin) in-the πόλη (póli) city
41.12b Pius (pius) whom-MASC.PL.ACC gnoríz is (gnoríz is) know-you stin (stin) in-the póli (póli) city
41.13a Η (i) the γυναίκα (yinéka) woman της (tis) of-the οποίας (opías) whose-FEM.GEN το (to) the όνομα (ónoma) name είναι (eínai) is Μαρία (María) Maria μένει (méni) lives εδώ (edó) here
41.13b I (i) the yinéka (yinéka) woman tis (tis) of-the opías (opías) whose-FEM.GEN to (to) the ónoma (ónoma) name eínai (eínai) is María (María) Maria méni (méni) lives edó (edó) here
41.14a Ποιο (pio) which-NEUT.NOM βιβλίο (vivlío) book προτιμάς (protimás) prefer-you
41.14b Pio (pio) which-NEUT.NOM vivlío (vivlío) book protimás (protimás) prefer-you
41.15a Οι (i) the φίλοι (fíli) friends οι (i) the οποίοι (opíi) who-MASC.PL ταξίδεψαν (taxídepsan) traveled στην (stin) to-the Κρήτη (Kríti) Crete επέστρεψαν (epéstrepsan) returned χαρούμενοι (harúmeni) happy-MASC.PL
41.15b I (i) the fíli (fíli) friends i (i) the opíi (opíi) who-MASC.PL taxídepsan (taxídepsan) traveled stin (stin) to-the Kríti (Kríti) Crete epéstrepsan (epéstrepsan) returned harúmeni (harúmeni) happy-MASC.PL
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41.1 Ποιος είναι αυτός ο άνδρας; Poios eínai aftós o ándras? “Who is this man?”
41.2 Ποια γυναίκα μίλησε μαζί σου; Poia yinéka mílise mazí su? “Which woman spoke with you?”
41.3 Το παιδί που παίζει είναι ευτυχισμένο. To pedí pu pézei eínai eftihisméno. “The child who is playing is happy.”
41.4 Ποιου είναι αυτό το βιβλίο; Piu eínai aftó to vivlío? “Whose is this book?” / “Whose book is this?”
41.5 Ο άνθρωπος ο οποίος βοήθησε με είναι καλός. O ánthropos o opíos voíthise me eínai kalós. “The person who helped me is good.”
41.6 Ποιον θέλεις να δεις; Pion thélis na dis? “Whom do you want to see?”
41.7 Η δασκάλα που διδάσκει ελληνικά είναι άριστη. I daskála pu didáski eliniká eínai áristi. “The teacher who teaches Greek is excellent.”
41.8 Ποιοι ήρθαν στο πάρτι; Pioi írthan sto párti? “Who came to the party?”
41.9 Τα παιδιά τα οποία γελούν είναι ευτυχισμένα. Ta pediá ta opía yelún eínai eftihisména. “The children who are laughing are happy.”
41.10 Ποιας η φίλη είναι εδώ; Pias i fíli eínai edó? “Whose friend is here?” (referring to a female friend)
41.11 Ο φοιτητής που σπουδάζει ιατρική δουλεύει σκληρά. O fititís pu spudázi iatrikí dulévei sklirá. “The student who studies medicine works hard.”
41.12 Ποιους γνωρίζεις στην πόλη; Pius gnoríz is stin póli? “Whom do you know in the city?”
41.13 Η γυναίκα της οποίας το όνομα είναι Μαρία μένει εδώ. I yinéka tis opías to ónoma eínai María méni edó. “The woman whose name is Maria lives here.”
41.14 Ποιο βιβλίο προτιμάς; Pio vivlío protimás? “Which book do you prefer?”
41.15 Οι φίλοι οι οποίοι ταξίδεψαν στην Κρήτη επέστρεψαν χαρούμενοι. I fíli i opíi taxídepsan stin Kríti epéstrepsan harúmeni. “The friends who traveled to Crete returned happy.”
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41.1 Ποιος είναι αυτός ο άνδρας; Poios eínai aftós o ándras?
41.2 Ποια γυναίκα μίλησε μαζί σου; Poia yinéka mílise mazí su?
41.3 Το παιδί που παίζει είναι ευτυχισμένο. To pedí pu pézei eínai eftihisméno.
41.4 Ποιου είναι αυτό το βιβλίο; Piu eínai aftó to vivlío?
41.5 Ο άνθρωπος ο οποίος βοήθησε με είναι καλός. O ánthropos o opíos voíthise me eínai kalós.
41.6 Ποιον θέλεις να δεις; Pion thélis na dis?
41.7 Η δασκάλα που διδάσκει ελληνικά είναι άριστη. I daskála pu didáski eliniká eínai áristi.
41.8 Ποιοι ήρθαν στο πάρτι; Pioi írthan sto párti?
41.9 Τα παιδιά τα οποία γελούν είναι ευτυχισμένα. Ta pediá ta opía yelún eínai eftihisména.
41.10 Ποιας η φίλη είναι εδώ; Pias i fíli eínai edó?
41.11 Ο φοιτητής που σπουδάζει ιατρική δουλεύει σκληρά. O fititís pu spudázi iatrikí dulévei sklirá.
41.12 Ποιους γνωρίζεις στην πόλη; Pius gnoríz is stin póli?
41.13 Η γυναίκα της οποίας το όνομα είναι Μαρία μένει εδώ. I yinéka tis opías to ónoma eínai María méni edó.
41.14 Ποιο βιβλίο προτιμάς; Pio vivlío protimás?
41.15 Οι φίλοι οι οποίοι ταξίδεψαν στην Κρήτη επέστρεψαν χαρούμενοι. I fíli i opíi taxídepsan stin Kríti epéstrepsan harúmeni.
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These are the grammar rules for interrogative and relative pronouns in Modern Greek
Modern Greek employs a sophisticated system of pronouns for asking questions (interrogative) and connecting clauses (relative). Understanding this system is essential for both comprehension and natural expression in Greek.
INTERROGATIVE PRONOUNS: Asking “Who?” and “Which?”
The interrogative pronoun ποιος (poios) means “who?” or “which?” and fully declines for three genders, two numbers, and three cases:
Masculine: -
Nominative singular: ποιος (poios) “who?” -
Genitive singular: ποιου (piu) or ποιανού (pianú) “whose?” -
Accusative singular: ποιον (pion) “whom?” -
Nominative plural: ποιοι (pioi) “who?” (plural) -
Genitive plural: ποιων (píon) or ποιανών (pianón) “whose?” (plural) -
Accusative plural: ποιους (pius) “whom?” (plural)
Feminine: -
Nominative singular: ποια (pia) “who?” -
Genitive singular: ποιας (pias) or ποιανής (pianís) “whose?” -
Accusative singular: ποια (pia) “whom?” -
Nominative plural: ποιες (pies) “who?” (plural) -
Genitive plural: ποιων (píon) or ποιανών (pianón) “whose?” (plural) -
Accusative plural: ποιες (pies) “whom?” (plural)
Neuter: -
Nominative singular: ποιο (pio) “which?” -
Genitive singular: ποιου (piu) or ποιανού (pianú) “whose?” -
Accusative singular: ποιο (pio) “which?” -
Nominative plural: ποια (pia) “which?” (plural) -
Genitive plural: ποιων (píon) or ποιανών (pianón) “whose?” (plural) -
Accusative plural: ποια (pia) “which?” (plural)
Note: The genitive forms ποιου/ποιας are formal, while ποιανού/ποιανής are more colloquial and common in spoken Greek.
There is also an alternative interrogative pronoun τίνος (tínos) meaning “whose?” (genitive singular), though this is less common in modern conversational Greek.
RELATIVE PRONOUNS: Connecting Clauses
Greek has two primary ways to express “who/which/that” in relative clauses:
1. Που (pu) - The Simple Relative Pronoun
The word που is by far the most common relative pronoun in Modern Greek. It is completely indeclinable—it never changes form regardless of gender, number, or case. It can mean “who,” “which,” “that,” or even “where” depending on context.
Examples: -
Ο άνδρας που ήρθε (o ándras pu írthe) “the man who came” -
Το βιβλίο που διάβασα (to vivlío pu diávasa) “the book that I read” -
Η πόλη που μένω (i póli pu méno) “the city where I live”
2. Ο οποίος, η οποία, το οποίο (o opíos, i opía, to opío) - The Formal Relative Pronoun
This more formal relative pronoun declines fully for case, gender, and number. It is always preceded by the definite article. It provides greater clarity and precision, especially in written Greek and complex sentences.
Masculine: -
Nominative singular: ο οποίος (o opíos) -
Genitive singular: του οποίου (tu opíu) -
Accusative singular: τον οποίο (ton opío) -
Nominative plural: οι οποίοι (i opíi) -
Genitive plural: των οποίων (ton opíon) -
Accusative plural: τους οποίους (tus opíus)
Feminine: -
Nominative singular: η οποία (i opía) -
Genitive singular: της οποίας (tis opías) -
Accusative singular: την οποία (tin opía) -
Nominative plural: οι οποίες (i opíes) -
Genitive plural: των οποίων (ton opíon) -
Accusative plural: τις οποίες (tis opíes)
Neuter: -
Nominative singular: το οποίο (to opío) -
Genitive singular: του οποίου (tu opíu) -
Accusative singular: το οποίο (to opío) -
Nominative plural: τα οποία (ta opía) -
Genitive plural: των οποίων (ton opíon) -
Accusative plural: τα οποία (ta opía)
USAGE PRINCIPLES
Position of Interrogative Pronouns: Interrogative pronouns typically appear at the beginning of questions: Ποιος είναι; (Piios eínai?) “Who is it?”
Agreement: Both interrogative pronouns and the formal relative pronoun ο οποίος must agree in gender and number with their antecedent (the noun they refer to).
Case Selection: The case of the pronoun is determined by its grammatical function within its own clause, not by the antecedent.
Example: Ο άνθρωπος τον οποίο είδα (O ánthropos ton opío ída) “The person whom I saw” -
Ο άνθρωπος is nominative (subject of main verb) -
τον οποίο is accusative (object of είδα)
Register: -
Που is used in everyday conversation and is the default choice -
Ο οποίος is more formal, literary, or used for clarity in complex sentences -
For “whose” questions, ποιου/ποιας are formal; ποιανού/ποιανής are colloquial
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Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using ποιος as a relative pronoun ✗ Incorrect: Ο άνδρας ποιος ήρθε (trying to say “the man who came”) ✓ Correct: Ο άνδρας που ήρθε or Ο άνδρας ο οποίος ήρθε
Mistake 2: Confusing που (pu - relative “who/that”) with πού (pú - interrogative “where?”) Note the accent difference: -
που (no accent) = relative pronoun -
πού (accent) = question word “where?”
Mistake 3: Declining που ✗ Incorrect: Trying to change που based on gender or case ✓ Correct: Που never changes—it’s always που
Mistake 4: Wrong case for ο οποίος ✗ Incorrect: Η γυναίκα η οποία γνωρίζω (using nominative when accusative is needed) ✓ Correct: Η γυναίκα την οποία γνωρίζω “The woman whom I know”
Mistake 5: Using colloquial genitive in formal writing Context matters: In academic or formal writing, prefer ποιου/ποιας over ποιανού/ποιανής
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Frequency and Natural Usage
Interrogative and relative pronouns are among the most frequently used words in Modern Greek. Questions beginning with ποιος are ubiquitous in daily conversation, from Ποιος είναι; (”Who is it?”) when answering the door to Ποιο θέλεις; (”Which one do you want?”) when making choices.
The relative pronoun που appears constantly in Greek speech and writing, connecting descriptive clauses to nouns. Its simplicity—never changing form—makes it the overwhelmingly preferred choice in everyday Greek over the more complex ο οποίος system.
Formal vs. Informal Registers
Colloquial Speech: -
Heavily favors που for relative clauses -
Uses ποιανού/ποιανής for “whose?” questions -
Often drops subject pronouns since verbs indicate person -
Example: Ποιανού είναι αυτό; (Pianú eínai aftó?) “Whose is this?”
Formal/Written Greek: -
More likely to use ο οποίος, η οποία, το οποίο for clarity -
Prefers ποιου/ποιας for “whose?” questions -
Used in news reports, academic writing, legal documents -
Example: Ο υπουργός, ο οποίος παρευρέθηκε... “The minister, who attended...”
Cultural Significance
The interrogative pronoun system reflects Greek culture’s emphasis on personal relationships and social connections. Questions about identity—Ποιος είναι; (”Who is it?”), Ποιου είναι; (”Whose is it?”)—are fundamental to Greek social interaction, where knowing who belongs to whom and how people are connected matters greatly.
The flexibility between που and ο οποίος also reflects a broader cultural pattern in Modern Greek: maintaining accessibility in everyday speech while preserving formal registers for official contexts. This dual system allows Greeks to code-switch between casual conversation and formal discourse.
Regional and Stylistic Variations
While που is universal across all dialects of Modern Greek, the choice between ποιου and ποιανού can signal regional or educational background. Urban, educated speakers might use both depending on formality, while some rural or working-class dialects strongly prefer ποιανού in all contexts.
In Cypriot Greek, the interrogative system is largely the same, though pronunciation differs (Cypriot π is aspirated more heavily, making ποιος sound more like “khios”).
Idiomatic Expressions
Several common expressions use interrogative pronouns: -
Ποιος ξέρει; (Píos xéri?) “Who knows?” (expressing uncertainty) -
Ποιον νοιάζει; (Pion niázi?) “Who cares?” -
Με ποιον μιλάς; (Me píon milás?) “Who do you think you’re talking to?” (expressing indignation)
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From “Το Αξιον Εστί” (To Axion Estí) by Odysseas Elytis (1959)
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
Πού (pu) where είναι (eínai) is η (i) the γυναίκα (yinéka) woman που (pu) who άφησε (áfise) left τις (tis) the πορφύρες (porfíres) purple-garments κάτω (káto) below από (apó) under την (tin) the ελιά (eliá) olive-tree Πού (pu) where είναι (eínai) is το (to) the παιδί (pedí) child που (pu) who έτρεχε (étrehe) was-running ξυπόλυτο (xipolito) barefoot στις (stis) on-the πέτρες (pétres) stones
Pu (pu) where eínai (eínai) is i (i) the yinéka (yinéka) woman pu (pu) who áfise (áfise) left tis (tis) the porfíres (porfíres) purple-garments káto (káto) below apó (apó) under tin (tin) the eliá (eliá) olive-tree Pu (pu) where eínai (eínai) is to (to) the pedí (pedí) child pu (pu) who étrehe (étrehe) was-running xipolito (xipolito) barefoot stis (stis) on-the pétres (pétres) stones
F-B: Natural Sentence with Translation
Πού είναι η γυναίκα που άφησε τις πορφύρες κάτω από την ελιά; Πού είναι το παιδί που έτρεχε ξυπόλυτο στις πέτρες;
Pu eínai i yinéka pu áfise tis porfíres káto apó tin eliá? Pu eínai to pedí pu étrehe xipolito stis pétres?
“Where is the woman who left the purple garments beneath the olive tree? Where is the child who was running barefoot on the stones?”
F-C: Original Greek Text Only
Πού είναι η γυναίκα που άφησε τις πορφύρες κάτω από την ελιά; Πού είναι το παιδί που έτρεχε ξυπόλυτο στις πέτρες;
Pu eínai i yinéka pu áfise tis porfíres káto apó tin eliá? Pu eínai to pedí pu étrehe xipolito stis pétres?
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
This passage demonstrates the dual use of πού (pú) as both an interrogative adverb meaning “where?” (with accent) and the relative pronoun που (pu) meaning “who/that” (without accent). The interrogative πού opens both questions, asking about location. Then the relative pronoun που introduces descriptive clauses about the woman and child.
Vocabulary: -
γυναίκα (yinéka) = woman -
άφησε (áfise) = left, abandoned (aorist of αφήνω) -
πορφύρες (porfíres) = purple garments/robes -
κάτω από (káto apó) = beneath, under -
ελιά (eliá) = olive tree -
παιδί (pedí) = child -
έτρεχε (étrehe) = was running (imperfect of τρέχω) -
ξυπόλυτο (xipolito) = barefoot -
πέτρες (pétres) = stones
Literary Context: Odysseas Elytis (1911-1996) won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1979. “To Axion Estí” (meaning “Worthy It Is,” from Orthodox liturgy) is considered his masterpiece, celebrating Greek identity, landscape, and survival through history’s trials. This passage evokes lost moments of ordinary Greek life—a woman’s purple garments under an olive tree, a barefoot child on stones—using the relative pronoun που to create haunting, unanswered questions about what has vanished.
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Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
41.16a Ποιος (poios) who είναι (eínai) is ο (o) the καθηγητής (kathiyitís) professor που (pu) who/that διδάσκει (didáski) teaches φιλοσοφία (filosofía) philosophy
41.16b Poios (poios) who eínai (eínai) is o (o) the kathiyitís (kathiyitís) professor pu (pu) who/that didáski (didáski) teaches filosofía (filosofía) philosophy
41.17a Ο (o) the καθηγητής (kathiyitís) professor ο (o) the οποίος (opíos) who διδάσκει (didáski) teaches φιλοσοφία (filosofía) philosophy είναι (eínai) is ο (o) the κύριος (kírios) Mr. Παπαδόπουλος (Papadópulos) Papadopoulos
41.17b O (o) the kathiyitís (kathiyitís) professor o (o) the opíos (opíos) who didáski (didáski) teaches filosofía (filosofía) philosophy eínai (eínai) is o (o) the kírios (kírios) Mr. Papadópulos (Papadópulos) Papadopoulos
41.18a Ποια (pia) which-FEM μάθημα (máthima) lesson-NEUT παρακολουθείς (parakoluthís) attend-you σήμερα (símera) today
41.18b Pia (pia) which-FEM máthima (máthima) lesson-NEUT parakoluthís (parakoluthís) attend-you símera (símera) today
41.19a Παρακολουθώ (parakoluthó) attend-I το (to) the μάθημα (máthima) lesson που (pu) that/which αρχίζει (arhízi) starts στις (stis) at-the δέκα (déka) ten
41.19b Parakoluthó (parakoluthó) attend-I to (to) the máthima (máthima) lesson pu (pu) that/which arhízi (arhízi) starts stis (stis) at-the déka (déka) ten
41.20a Ποιους (pius) whom-MASC.PL.ACC συναντήσαμε (sinadísame) met-we στη (sti) in-the βιβλιοθήκη (vivliothíki) library
41.20b Pius (pius) whom-MASC.PL.ACC sinadísame (sinadísame) met-we sti (sti) in-the vivliothíki (vivliothíki) library
41.21a Συναντήσαμε (sinadísame) met-we τους (tus) the φοιτητές (fititéɛ) students οι (i) the οποίοι (opíi) who σπουδάζουν (spudázun) study ιστορία (istoría) history
41.21b Sinadísame (sinadísame) met-we tus (tus) the fititéɛ (fititéɛ) students i (i) the opíi (opíi) who spudázun (spudázun) study istoría (istoría) history
41.22a Ποιου (piu) whose-GEN είναι (eínai) is αυτό (aftó) this το (to) the τετράδιο (tetrádio) notebook
41.22b Piu (piu) whose-GEN eínai (eínai) is aftó (aftó) this to (to) the tetrádio (tetrádio) notebook
41.23a Είναι (eínai) is της (tis) of-the Μαρίας (Marías) Maria-GEN η (i) the οποία (opía) who κάθεται (káthetai) sits δίπλα (dípla) next μας (mas) us-GEN
41.23b Eínai (eínai) is tis (tis) of-the Marías (Marías) Maria-GEN i (i) the opía (opía) who káthetai (káthetai) sits dípla (dípla) next mas (mas) us-GEN
41.24a Ποιον (pion) whom-ACC πρέπει (prépi) must να (na) to ρωτήσουμε (rotísume) ask-we για (ya) for την (tin) the εργασία (ergasía) assignment
41.24b Pion (pion) whom-ACC prépi (prépi) must na (na) to rotísume (rotísume) ask-we ya (ya) for tin (tin) the ergasía (ergasía) assignment
41.25a Πρέπει (prépi) must να (na) to ρωτήσουμε (rotísume) ask-we τον (ton) the βοηθό (voithó) assistant που (pu) who εργάζεται (ergázete) works στο (sto) in-the γραφείο (grafío) office
41.25b Prépi (prépi) must na (na) to rotísume (rotísume) ask-we ton (ton) the voithó (voithó) assistant pu (pu) who ergázete (ergázete) works sto (sto) in-the grafío (grafío) office
41.26a Ποιες (pies) which-FEM.PL.NOM είναι (eínai) are οι (i) the καλύτερες (kalíteres) best-FEM.PL αίθουσες (éthuses) classrooms για (ya) for μελέτη (meléti) study
41.26b Pies (pies) which-FEM.PL.NOM eínai (eínai) are i (i) the kalíteres (kalíteres) best-FEM.PL éthuses (éthuses) classrooms ya (ya) for meléti (meléti) study
41.27a Οι (i) the αίθουσες (éthuses) classrooms οι (i) the οποίες (opíes) which βρίσκονται (vrískonde) are-located στον (ston) in-the τρίτο (tríto) third όροφο (órofo) floor είναι (eínai) are ήσυχες (ísihes) quiet
41.27b I (i) the éthuses (éthuses) classrooms i (i) the opíes (opíes) which vrískonde (vrískonde) are-located ston (ston) in-the tríto (tríto) third órofo (órofo) floor eínai (eínai) are ísihes (ísihes) quiet
41.28a Ποιων (píon) whose-GEN.PL είναι (eínai) are αυτά (aftá) these τα (ta) the βιβλία (vivlía) books
41.28b Píon (píon) whose-GEN.PL eínai (eínai) are aftá (aftá) these ta (ta) the vivlía (vivlía) books
41.29a Είναι (eínai) are των (ton) of-the φοιτητών (fititón) students-GEN.PL οι (i) the οποίοι (opíi) who τελείωσαν (telíosan) finished τις (tis) the σπουδές (spudés) studies τους (tus) their-ACC.PL πέρσι (pérsi) last-year
41.29b Eínai (eínai) are ton (ton) of-the fititón (fititón) students-GEN.PL i (i) the opíi (opíi) who telíosan (telíosan) finished tis (tis) the spudés (spudés) studies tus (tus) their-ACC.PL pérsi (pérsi) last-year
41.30a Ποιο (pio) which-NEUT.NOM πρόγραμμα (prógramma) program σπουδών (spudón) of-studies προτιμούν (protimún) prefer οι (i) the περισσότεροι (perissóteri) most-MASC.PL φοιτητές (fititéɛ) students
41.30b Pio (pio) which-NEUT.NOM prógramma (prógramma) program spudón (spudón) of-studies protimún (protimún) prefer i (i) the perissóteri (perissóteri) most-MASC.PL fititéɛ (fititéɛ) students
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Part B: Natural Sentences
41.16 Ποιος είναι ο καθηγητής που διδάσκει φιλοσοφία; Poios eínai o kathiyitís pu didáski filosofía? “Who is the professor who teaches philosophy?”
41.17 Ο καθηγητής ο οποίος διδάσκει φιλοσοφία είναι ο κύριος Παπαδόπουλος. O kathiyitís o opíos didáski filosofía eínai o kírios Papadópulos. “The professor who teaches philosophy is Mr. Papadopoulos.”
41.18 Ποια μάθημα παρακολουθείς σήμερα; Pia máthima parakoluthís símera? “Which class are you attending today?”
41.19 Παρακολουθώ το μάθημα που αρχίζει στις δέκα. Parakoluthó to máthima pu arhízi stis déka. “I’m attending the class that starts at ten.”
41.20 Ποιους συναντήσαμε στη βιβλιοθήκη; Pius sinadísame sti vivliothíki? “Whom did we meet in the library?”
41.21 Συναντήσαμε τους φοιτητές οι οποίοι σπουδάζουν ιστορία. Sinadísame tus fititéɛ i opíi spudázun istoría. “We met the students who study history.”
41.22 Ποιου είναι αυτό το τετράδιο; Piu eínai aftó to tetrádio? “Whose notebook is this?”
41.23 Είναι της Μαρίας η οποία κάθεται δίπλα μας. Eínai tis Marías i opía káthetai dípla mas. “It’s Maria’s, who sits next to us.”
41.24 Ποιον πρέπει να ρωτήσουμε για την εργασία; Pion prépi na rotísume ya tin ergasía? “Whom should we ask about the assignment?”
41.25 Πρέπει να ρωτήσουμε τον βοηθό που εργάζεται στο γραφείο. Prépi na rotísume ton voithó pu ergázete sto grafío. “We should ask the assistant who works in the office.”
41.26 Ποιες είναι οι καλύτερες αίθουσες για μελέτη; Pies eínai i kalíteres éthuses ya meléti? “Which are the best classrooms for studying?”
41.27 Οι αίθουσες οι οποίες βρίσκονται στον τρίτο όροφο είναι ήσυχες. I éthuses i opíes vrískonde ston tríto órofo eínai ísihes. “The classrooms which are located on the third floor are quiet.”
41.28 Ποιων είναι αυτά τα βιβλία; Píon eínai aftá ta vivlía? “Whose are these books?”
41.29 Είναι των φοιτητών οι οποίοι τελείωσαν τις σπουδές τους πέρσι. Eínai ton fititón i opíi telíosan tis spudés tus pérsi. “They belong to the students who finished their studies last year.”
41.30 Ποιο πρόγραμμα σπουδών προτιμούν οι περισσότεροι φοιτητές; Pio prógramma spudón protimún i perissóteri fititéɛ? “Which program of studies do most students prefer?”
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Part C: Target Language Only
41.16 Ποιος είναι ο καθηγητής που διδάσκει φιλοσοφία; Poios eínai o kathiyitís pu didáski filosofía?
41.17 Ο καθηγητής ο οποίος διδάσκει φιλοσοφία είναι ο κύριος Παπαδόπουλος. O kathiyitís o opíos didáski filosofía eínai o kírios Papadópulos.
41.18 Ποια μάθημα παρακολουθείς σήμερα; Pia máthima parakoluthís símera?
41.19 Παρακολουθώ το μάθημα που αρχίζει στις δέκα. Parakoluthó to máthima pu arhízi stis déka.
41.20 Ποιους συναντήσαμε στη βιβλιοθήκη; Pius sinadísame sti vivliothíki?
41.21 Συναντήσαμε τους φοιτητές οι οποίοι σπουδάζουν ιστορία. Sinadísame tus fititéɛ i opíi spudázun istoría.
41.22 Ποιου είναι αυτό το τετράδιο; Piu eínai aftó to tetrádio?
41.23 Είναι της Μαρίας η οποία κάθεται δίπλα μας. Eínai tis Marías i opía káthetai dípla mas.
41.24 Ποιον πρέπει να ρωτήσουμε για την εργασία; Pion prépi na rotísume ya tin ergasía?
41.25 Πρέπει να ρωτήσουμε τον βοηθό που εργάζεται στο γραφείο. Prépi na rotísume ton voithó pu ergázete sto grafío.
41.26 Ποιες είναι οι καλύτερες αίθουσες για μελέτη; Pies eínai i kalíteres éthuses ya meléti?
41.27 Οι αίθουσες οι οποίες βρίσκονται στον τρίτο όροφο είναι ήσυχες. I éthuses i opíes vrískonde ston tríto órofo eínai ísihes.
41.28 Ποιων είναι αυτά τα βιβλία; Píon eínai aftá ta vivlía?
41.29 Είναι των φοιτητών οι οποίοι τελείωσαν τις σπουδές τους πέρσι. Eínai ton fititón i opíi telíosan tis spudés tus pérsi.
41.30 Ποιο πρόγραμμα σπουδών προτιμούν οι περισσότεροι φοιτητές; Pio prógramma spudón protimún i perissóteri fititéɛ?
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Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This dialogue section demonstrates how interrogative and relative pronouns function in natural university conversations. Notice the alternation between questions using ποιος/ποια/ποιο and responses using the relative pronouns που and ο οποίος.
Key Patterns Illustrated: -
Question-Answer Structure: Questions open with interrogative pronouns (Ποιος είναι...) and answers often include relative clauses (ο καθηγητής που...) to provide detailed identification. -
Register Mixing: The dialogue shows both που (simpler, more conversational) and ο οποίος (more formal, academic) within the same conversation, reflecting natural Greek usage where speakers adjust formality based on what they’re describing. -
Case Variation: The dialogue demonstrates all three cases: -
Nominative: ποιος/ποια/ποιο “who/which?” (subject) -
Genitive: ποιου/ποιας/ποιων “whose?” (possession) -
Accusative: ποιον/ποιους/ποιες “whom/which?” (object) -
Academic Vocabulary: The university setting introduces field-specific terms like καθηγητής (professor), φοιτητής (university student), βιβλιοθήκη (library), μάθημα (lesson/class), and πρόγραμμα σπουδών (program of studies), all commonly appearing with relative pronouns in academic Greek.
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Interrogative Pronouns: -
ποιος [ˈpços] - Note the diphthong οι sounds like “ee” in English “feet” -
ποια [ˈpia] - Two syllables: pi-a -
ποιο [ˈpio] - Two syllables: pi-o -
ποιου [ˈpiu] - Formal “whose”, diphthong οι + ου combination -
ποιανού [pjaˈnu] - Colloquial “whose”, stress on final syllable
Relative Pronouns: -
που [pu] - Simple, unstressed relative pronoun (no accent mark) -
πού [ˈpu] - Stressed interrogative “where?” (with accent mark) -
οποίος [oˈpios] - Stress on second syllable -
οποία [oˈpia] - Stress on second syllable -
οποίο [oˈpio] - Stress on second syllable
Common Pronunciation Challenges for English Speakers: -
The Greek οι diphthong: This always sounds like “ee” in “feet”, never like “oy” in “boy”. So ποιος is “PEE-os”, not “POY-os”. -
Stress patterns: Greek uses consistent stress marking. The accent mark shows exactly which syllable to stress: οποίος has stress on the second syllable (o-PÍ-os), never the first. -
The difference between που and πού: The only difference is the accent mark and stress. Without the accent, που is an unstressed relative pronoun. With the accent, πού is a stressed question word. Context and stress patterns distinguish them in speech. -
Genitive forms: The genitive forms like ποιου [ˈpiu] combine two vowel sounds smoothly without a glottal stop between them.
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This Modern Greek lesson is part of a comprehensive language learning system developed by the Latinum Institute, which has been creating high-quality autodidact language materials since 2006. The course employs the proven interlinear construed text methodology, presenting target language text with word-by-word glossing and transliteration to accelerate comprehension and acquisition.
The Latinum Institute approach emphasizes: -
Systematic vocabulary progression based on frequency analysis -
Authentic language examples demonstrating real usage patterns -
Cultural context integration showing how language reflects society -
Self-contained lessons requiring no prerequisites beyond basic literacy -
Multiple exposure formats (construed, natural, target-language-only) reinforcing learning
Each lesson builds practical communication skills through natural, meaningful sentences rather than artificial drills. The interlinear glossing format allows learners to access any vocabulary immediately, eliminating frustration and enabling engagement with authentic texts from the start.
For more information about the Latinum Institute methodology and additional language courses, visit: -
Course index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index -
User reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
This lesson on Greek interrogative and relative pronouns demonstrates the power of the interlinear approach: complex grammatical concepts become manageable when every element is clearly identified and glossed. By working through all 30 examples, learners internalize not just the forms but the natural usage patterns of these essential Greek pronouns.
The CSV-based vocabulary progression ensures that learners encounter the most useful words first, building a practical foundation for real communication. This lesson on “who” (lesson 41 of 1000) represents a critical milestone: mastering question formation and clause connection—two of the most frequent operations in any language.
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