Welcome to Lesson 63 of the Latinum Institute’s Modern Greek course. Today we explore the adverb ακόμα (akóma) or ακόμη (akómi), meaning “even” in its emphatic/scalar usage, as well as “still” and “yet” in temporal contexts. This highly versatile word is fundamental to expressing emphasis, continuation, and scalar relationships in Greek.
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ Schema: Q: What does ακόμα mean in Modern Greek? A: Ακόμα (akóma) and its variant ακόμη (akómi) serve multiple functions in Greek: (1) as an emphatic adverb meaning “even” (especially in the construction ακόμα και/ακόμη και), (2) as a temporal adverb meaning “still” or “yet,” and (3) as a quantitative marker meaning “more” or “additionally.” Both forms are interchangeable in modern usage, with ακόμη being slightly more formal.
In these 30 examples, ακόμα/ακόμη demonstrates its remarkable versatility across different semantic domains. You’ll see it functioning as: an emphatic scalar particle (ακόμα και = “even”), a temporal continuative (”still”), a temporal prospective (”yet/not yet”), a quantitative additive (”more”), and in various idiomatic expressions. The word’s core meaning relates to extension—whether extending a scale (even), extending time (still/yet), or extending quantity (more). This polysemy makes ακόμα one of the most frequently used adverbs in Modern Greek, appearing in conversational, literary, and formal registers.
Key Takeaways: -
Both ακόμα and ακόμη are standard and interchangeable -
Ακόμα και/Ακόμη και = “even” (emphatic scalar) -
Standalone ακόμα often means “still” or “yet” -
Can modify verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and entire clauses -
Essential for expressing emphasis, continuation, and comparison
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Modern Greek uses the Greek alphabet with 24 letters. This lesson uses the monotonic system (single accent mark: ά, έ, ή, ί, ό, ύ, ώ). The acute accent indicates stress position, which is crucial for proper pronunciation and meaning differentiation.
Romanization follows standard phonetic transliteration. Note that Greek /k/ before /i/ or /e/ sounds is pronounced like English “k” (not “ch”), and γ before /i/ or /e/ sounds like English “y”. Double letters like μμ, νν represent gemination (lengthening).
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63.1a Ακόμα (Akóma) even και (kai) and/also τα (ta) the-NEUT.PL παιδιά (paidiá) children κατάλαβαν (katálavan) understood-3PL την (tin) the-FEM.ACC ιστορία (istoría) story
63.1b Akóma (akóma) even kai (kai) and ta (ta) the paidiá (paidiá) children katálavan (katálavan) understood tin (tin) the istoría (istoría) story
63.2a Η (I) the-FEM.NOM Μαρία (María) Maria είναι (eínai) is ακόμα (akóma) still στη (sti) in-the-FEM δουλειά (duliá) work
63.2b I (i) the María (maría) Maria eínai (eínai) is akóma (akóma) still sti (sti) in-the duliá (duliá) work
63.3a Δεν (Den) not έχω (ého) have-1SG τελειώσει (teliósei) finished ακόμα (akóma) yet το (to) the-NEUT.ACC βιβλίο (vivlío) book
63.3b Den (den) not ého (ého) have teliósei (teliósei) finished akóma (akóma) yet to (to) the vivlío (vivlío) book
63.4a Ακόμη (Akómi) even κι (ki) and αν (an) if βρέχει (vréhei) it-rains θα (tha) will πάω (páo) go-1SG έξω (éxo) outside
63.4b Akómi (akómi) even ki (ki) and an (an) if vréhei (vréhei) it-rains tha (tha) will páo (páo) go éxo (éxo) outside
63.5a Θέλω (Thélo) want-1SG λίγο (lígo) little νερό (neró) water ακόμα (akóma) more παρακαλώ (parakaló) please
63.5b Thélo (thélo) want lígo (lígo) little neró (neró) water akóma (akóma) more parakaló (parakaló) please
63.6a Ο (O) the-MASC.NOM παππούς (pappús) grandfather μου (mu) my είναι (eínai) is ακόμα (akóma) still ζωντανός (zontanós) alive
63.6b O (o) the pappús (pappús) grandfather mu (mu) my eínai (eínai) is akóma (akóma) still zontanós (zontanós) alive
63.7a Ακόμα (Akóma) even και (kai) also η (i) the-FEM.NOM Ελένη (Eléni) Helen συμφώνησε (simfónise) agreed-3SG μαζί (mazí) with μας (mas) us
63.7b Akóma (akóma) even kai (kai) also i (i) the Eléni (eléni) Helen simfónise (simfónise) agreed mazí (mazí) with mas (mas) us
63.8a Είναι (Eínai) is ακόμη (akómi) still νωρίς (norís) early για (gia) for να (na) to φύγουμε (fýgume) leave-1PL
63.8b Eínai (eínai) is akómi (akómi) still norís (norís) early gia (gia) for na (na) to fýgume (fýgume) leave
63.9a Ακόμα (Akóma) even πιο (pio) more δύσκολο (dýskolo) difficult ήταν (ítan) was το (to) the-NEUT.NOM δεύτερο (déftero) second τεστ (test) test
63.9b Akóma (akóma) even pio (pio) more dýskolo (dýskolo) difficult ítan (ítan) was to (to) the déftero (déftero) second test (test) test
63.10a Με (Me) me-ACC θυμάσαι (thymásai) remember-2SG ακόμα (akóma) still ή (í) or όχι (óhi) not
63.10b Me (me) me thymásai (thymásai) remember akóma (akóma) still í (í) or óhi (óhi) not
63.11a Στην (Stin) in-the-FEM.ACC Αθήνα (Athína) Athens ακόμη (akómi) even και (kai) and τον (ton) the-MASC.ACC Αύγουστο (Ávgusto) August κάνει (kánei) makes ζέστη (zésti) heat
63.11b Stin (stin) in-the Athína (athína) Athens akómi (akómi) even kai (kai) and ton (ton) the Ávgusto (ávgusto) August kánei (kánei) makes zésti (zésti) heat
63.12a Χρειάζομαι (Hreiázome) need-1SG ακόμα (akóma) more δύο (dýo) two μέρες (méres) days για (gia) for να (na) to τελειώσω (telióso) finish-1SG
63.12b Hreiázome (hreiázome) need akóma (akóma) more dýo (dýo) two méres (méres) days gia (gia) for na (na) to telióso (telióso) finish
63.13a Δεν (Den) not ήρθε (írthe) came-3SG ακόμα (akóma) yet ο (o) the-MASC.NOM γιατρός (giatrós) doctor
63.13b Den (den) not írthe (írthe) came akóma (akóma) yet o (o) the giatrós (giatrós) doctor
63.14a Ακόμα (Akóma) even κι (ki) and όταν (ótan) when ήμουν (ímun) was-1SG παιδί (paidí) child το (to) it-NEUT.ACC θυμάμαι (thymámai) remember-1SG
63.14b Akóma (akóma) even ki (ki) and ótan (ótan) when ímun (ímun) was paidí (paidí) child to (to) it thymámai (thymámai) remember
63.15a Το (To) the-NEUT.NOM φαγητό (fagitó) food είναι (eínai) is ακόμη (akómi) still ζεστό (zestó) hot ευτυχώς (eftihós) fortunately
63.15b To (to) the fagitó (fagitó) food eínai (eínai) is akómi (akómi) still zestó (zestó) hot eftihós (eftihós) fortunately
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63.1 Ακόμα και τα παιδιά κατάλαβαν την ιστορία. Akóma kai ta paidiá katálavan tin istoría. “Even the children understood the story.”
63.2 Η Μαρία είναι ακόμα στη δουλειά. I María eínai akóma sti duliá. “Maria is still at work.”
63.3 Δεν έχω τελειώσει ακόμα το βιβλίο. Den ého teliósei akóma to vivlío. “I haven’t finished the book yet.”
63.4 Ακόμη κι αν βρέχει θα πάω έξω. Akómi ki an vréhei tha páo éxo. “Even if it rains I will go outside.”
63.5 Θέλω λίγο νερό ακόμα παρακαλώ. Thélo lígo neró akóma parakaló. “I want a little more water please.”
63.6 Ο παππούς μου είναι ακόμα ζωντανός. O pappús mu eínai akóma zontanós. “My grandfather is still alive.”
63.7 Ακόμα και η Ελένη συμφώνησε μαζί μας. Akóma kai i Eléni simfónise mazí mas. “Even Helen agreed with us.”
63.8 Είναι ακόμη νωρίς για να φύγουμε. Eínai akómi norís gia na fýgume. “It’s still early for us to leave.”
63.9 Ακόμα πιο δύσκολο ήταν το δεύτερο τεστ. Akóma pio dýskolo ítan to déftero test. “Even more difficult was the second test.”
63.10 Με θυμάσαι ακόμα ή όχι; Me thymásai akóma í óhi? “Do you still remember me or not?”
63.11 Στην Αθήνα ακόμη και τον Αύγουστο κάνει ζέστη. Stin Athína akómi kai ton Ávgusto kánei zésti. “In Athens even in August it’s hot.”
63.12 Χρειάζομαι ακόμα δύο μέρες για να τελειώσω. Hreiázome akóma dýo méres gia na telióso. “I need two more days to finish.”
63.13 Δεν ήρθε ακόμα ο γιατρός. Den írthe akóma o giatrós. “The doctor hasn’t come yet.”
63.14 Ακόμα κι όταν ήμουν παιδί το θυμάμαι. Akóma ki ótan ímun paidí to thymámai. “Even when I was a child I remember it.”
63.15 Το φαγητό είναι ακόμη ζεστό ευτυχώς. To fagitó eínai akómi zestó eftihós. “The food is still hot fortunately.”
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63.1 Ακόμα και τα παιδιά κατάλαβαν την ιστορία. Akóma kai ta paidiá katálavan tin istoría.
63.2 Η Μαρία είναι ακόμα στη δουλειά. I María eínai akóma sti duliá.
63.3 Δεν έχω τελειώσει ακόμα το βιβλίο. Den ého teliósei akóma to vivlío.
63.4 Ακόμη κι αν βρέχει θα πάω έξω. Akómi ki an vréhei tha páo éxo.
63.5 Θέλω λίγο νερό ακόμα παρακαλώ. Thélo lígo neró akóma parakaló.
63.6 Ο παππούς μου είναι ακόμα ζωντανός. O pappús mu eínai akóma zontanós.
63.7 Ακόμα και η Ελένη συμφώνησε μαζί μας. Akóma kai i Eléni simfónise mazí mas.
63.8 Είναι ακόμη νωρίς για να φύγουμε. Eínai akómi norís gia na fýgume.
63.9 Ακόμα πιο δύσκολο ήταν το δεύτερο τεστ. Akóma pio dýskolo ítan to déftero test.
63.10 Με θυμάσαι ακόμα ή όχι; Me thymásai akóma í óhi?
63.11 Στην Αθήνα ακόμη και τον Αύγουστο κάνει ζέστη. Stin Athína akómi kai ton Ávgusto kánei zésti.
63.12 Χρειάζομαι ακόμα δύο μέρες για να τελειώσω. Hreiázome akóma dýo méres gia na telióso.
63.13 Δεν ήρθε ακόμα ο γιατρός. Den írthe akóma o giatrós.
63.14 Ακόμα κι όταν ήμουν παιδί το θυμάμαι. Akóma ki ótan ímun paidí to thymámai.
63.15 Το φαγητό είναι ακόμη ζεστό ευτυχώς. To fagitó eínai akómi zestó eftihós.
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These are the grammar rules for ακόμα/ακόμη
Basic Forms and Variants: -
ακόμα (akóma) - more common in everyday speech -
ακόμη (akómi) - slightly more formal, equally correct -
Both forms are completely interchangeable in modern Greek -
Stress always falls on the second syllable (-κό-)
Three Primary Functions:
1. Emphatic/Scalar (”even”) When expressing emphasis or extending a scale to include an unexpected element, Greek uses ακόμα και (akóma kai) or ακόμη και (akómi kai): -
Ακόμα και τα παιδιά = “Even the children” -
Ακόμη και αν βρέχει = “Even if it rains” -
Ακόμα και ο δάσκαλος = “Even the teacher”
The combination ακόμα + και creates the emphatic force. The και here functions as an additive particle (”also/even”), not the conjunction “and.”
2. Temporal Continuative (”still”) For actions or states continuing up to the present moment, ακόμα/ακόμη stands alone: -
Είναι ακόμα εδώ = “He/she is still here” -
Δουλεύω ακόμη = “I’m still working” -
Κοιμάται ακόμα = “He/she is still sleeping”
Typically appears after the verb or at the end of the clause.
3. Temporal Prospective (”yet/not yet”) In negative constructions, expresses non-completion up to now: -
Δεν έχω τελειώσει ακόμα = “I haven’t finished yet” -
Δεν ήρθε ακόμη = “He/she hasn’t come yet” -
Δεν είμαι έτοιμος ακόμα = “I’m not ready yet”
Almost always appears at the end of the clause in this usage.
4. Quantitative Additive (”more/additionally”) Expressing additional quantity: -
Θέλω λίγο ακόμα = “I want a little more” -
Δύο μέρες ακόμα = “Two more days” -
Μία φορά ακόμη = “One more time”
Position in Sentence: -
Emphatic: Before the emphasized element (Ακόμα και ο...) -
Temporal: Usually after verb or clause-final -
Quantitative: After the quantity expression
With Conditionals: The construction ακόμα κι αν / ακόμη κι αν introduces concessive clauses: -
Ακόμα κι αν έχεις δίκιο = “Even if you’re right” -
Ακόμη κι όταν κοιμάμαι = “Even when I sleep”
Note: κι is the elided form of και before vowels.
Comparative Constructions: With comparative adjectives/adverbs, ακόμα intensifies the comparison: -
Ακόμα πιο όμορφος = “Even more beautiful” -
Ακόμη καλύτερα = “Even better” -
Ακόμα πιο γρήγορα = “Even faster”
Common Idiomatic Expressions: -
Και πού είσαι ακόμα! = “And that’s not all! / You haven’t seen anything yet!” -
Ακόμα δε βγήκε απ’ το αυγό = “Still wet behind the ears” (lit. “hasn’t yet come out of the egg”) -
Λίγο ακόμα και... = “A little more and...” (expressing near-miss)
Grammatical Summary:
Type: Adverb (επίρρημα) Invariable: No inflection for gender, number, or case Functions: Emphatic, temporal, quantitative Key Constructions: -
ακόμα/ακόμη + και = “even” -
ακόμα/ακόμη (standalone) = “still/yet/more” -
ακόμα/ακόμη + κι + αν/όταν = “even if/when” -
ακόμα/ακόμη + πιο + comparative = “even more”
Common Mistakes: -
Forgetting και in emphatic usage -
Wrong: Ακόμα τα παιδιά κατάλαβαν -
Right: Ακόμα και τα παιδιά κατάλαβαν -
Using wrong word order in temporal usage -
Less natural: Ακόμα είναι εδώ -
More natural: Είναι ακόμα εδώ -
Confusing ακόμα with ακόμα (stress on first syllable) -
άκομα (stress on ά) is dialectal/non-standard -
Standard: ακόμα (stress on ό) -
Overusing in translations English “still” sometimes = Greek ακόμα English “still” other times = Greek εξακολουθώ (continue to) Context determines choice.
Comparison with English: Greek ακόμα corresponds to multiple English words: -
“even” (emphatic) → ακόμα και -
“still” (continuative) → ακόμα -
“yet” (prospective) → ακόμα (in negatives) -
“more” (quantitative) → ακόμα
One Greek word covers semantic territory requiring different English words.
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Register and Formality: Both ακόμα and ακόμη appear in all registers—conversational, literary, journalistic, and academic. The choice between them is more about personal preference and regional variation than formality, though ακόμη may appear slightly more in formal written Greek.
Frequency in Modern Usage: Ακόμα/ακόμη ranks among the top 100 most frequent Greek words. You’ll encounter it constantly in everyday conversation, news broadcasts, literature, and all forms of written communication. Its versatility makes it indispensable.
Regional Variations: -
Some speakers prefer ακόμα consistently -
Others use ακόμη in certain fixed expressions -
Cyprus and diaspora communities may show preference patterns -
No regional form is considered “incorrect”
Temporal Semantics: Greek temporal system differs from English. Where English distinguishes “still” (continuative) from “yet” (prospective) with different words and syntactic positions, Greek uses the same word (ακόμα) with negative/positive distinction: -
Positive: Είμαι ακόμα εδώ = “I’m still here” -
Negative: Δεν είμαι ακόμα εκεί = “I’m not there yet”
Scalar Emphatics: The construction ακόμα και expresses scalar reasoning—extending a property to an unexpected point on a scale. This rhetorical device is very common in Greek argumentation and persuasive discourse: -
Ακόμα και ο πρωθυπουργός το παραδέχτηκε = “Even the prime minister admitted it”
This implies: if even someone at the highest level admits it, then it must be especially significant.
Syntactical Peculiarities: Unlike many Greek adverbs that can freely move in the sentence, ακόμα shows strong positional preferences: -
Emphatic usage: pre-verbal or before the emphasized element -
Temporal usage: post-verbal or clause-final -
These preferences aren’t absolute rules but reflect natural Greek rhythm
Interaction with Negation: The combination of ακόμα with negative markers (δεν, μη) creates specific meaning: -
Δεν... ακόμα = “not... yet” -
Δεν... ακόμα και = “not even”
Context clarifies which interpretation applies.
Historical Development: The word ακόμα derives from Byzantine Greek ἀκόμη/ἀκομά, which itself comes from earlier Greek. The semantic range has remained remarkably stable over centuries, though the emphatic usage with και has strengthened in modern Greek.
Collocational Patterns: Common words appearing with ακόμα/ακόμη: -
λίγο ακόμα = “a little more” -
μία φορά ακόμα = “one more time” -
δύο χρόνια ακόμα = “two more years” -
πιο πολύ ακόμα = “even more”
These collocations are high-frequency chunks useful for fluent speech.
In Literature and Media: Greek authors use ακόμα extensively for: -
Creating emphasis in argumentative passages -
Expressing temporal relationships in narrative -
Building climactic sequences (ακόμα και...) -
Philosophical reflection on continuity and change
News headlines often use ακόμα και for dramatic effect: -
“Ακόμα και στην Αρκτική: Καύσωνας!” = “Even in the Arctic: Heat wave!”
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Source: Contemporary Greek usage from modern Greek literature and conversational patterns
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
F.1a Ακόμα (Akóma) even και (kai) and στα (sta) in-the-NEUT.PL χωριά (horiá) villages των (ton) of-the βουνών (vunón) mountains η (i) the-FEM.NOM ζωή (zoí) life συνεχίζεται (sinehistái) continues όπως (ópos) as πριν (prin) before
F.1b Akóma (akóma) even kai (kai) and sta (sta) in-the horiá (horiá) villages ton (ton) of-the vunón (vunón) mountains i (i) the zoí (zoí) life sinehistái (sinehistái) continues ópos (ópos) as prin (prin) before
F.2a Οι (I) the-MASC.NOM.PL άνθρωποι (ánthropi) people εκεί (ekeí) there ζουν (zun) live-3PL ακόμη (akómi) still με (me) with τις (tis) the-FEM.ACC.PL παλιές (paliés) old παραδόσεις (paradósis) traditions
F.2b I (i) the ánthropi (ánthropi) people ekeí (ekeí) there zun (zun) live akómi (akómi) still me (me) with tis (tis) the paliés (paliés) old paradósis (paradósis) traditions
F.3a Ακόμα (Akóma) even και (kai) and οι (i) the-MASC.NOM.PL νέοι (néi) young δεν (den) not έχουν (éhun) have-3PL ξεχάσει (xehási) forgotten τα (ta) the-NEUT.ACC.PL τραγούδια (tragúdia) songs των (ton) of-the προγόνων (progónon) ancestors τους (tus) their
F.3b Akóma (akóma) even kai (kai) and i (i) the néi (néi) young den (den) not éhun (éhun) have xehási (xehási) forgotten ta (ta) the tragúdia (tragúdia) songs ton (ton) of-the progónon (progónon) ancestors tus (tus) their
F-B: Natural Sentences with Translation
F.1 Ακόμα και στα χωριά των βουνών η ζωή συνεχίζεται όπως πριν. Akóma kai sta horiá ton vunón i zoí sinehistái ópos prin. “Even in the mountain villages life continues as before.”
F.2 Οι άνθρωποι εκεί ζουν ακόμη με τις παλιές παραδόσεις. I ánthropi ekeí zun akómi me tis paliés paradósis. “The people there still live with the old traditions.”
F.3 Ακόμα και οι νέοι δεν έχουν ξεχάσει τα τραγούδια των προγόνων τους. Akóma kai i néi den éhun xehási ta tragúdia ton progónon tus. “Even the young people haven’t forgotten the songs of their ancestors.”
F-C: Original Greek Only
F.1 Ακόμα και στα χωριά των βουνών η ζωή συνεχίζεται όπως πριν. Akóma kai sta horiá ton vunón i zoí sinehistái ópos prin.
F.2 Οι άνθρωποι εκεί ζουν ακόμη με τις παλιές παραδόσεις. I ánthropi ekeí zun akómi me tis paliés paradósis.
F.3 Ακόμα και οι νέοι δεν έχουν ξεχάσει τα τραγούδια των προγόνων τους. Akóma kai i néi den éhun xehási ta tragúdia ton progónon tus.
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
This passage demonstrates ακόμα in two of its primary functions: -
Emphatic scalar (ακόμα και) - “even” - emphasizing that the preservation extends to unexpected domains (mountain villages, young people) -
Temporal continuative (ακόμη) - “still” - indicating continuation of traditions
Key vocabulary: -
χωριά (horiá) - villages (plural of χωριό) -
συνεχίζεται (sinehistái) - continues (passive voice, from συνεχίζω) -
παραδόσεις (paradósis) - traditions (plural) -
πρόγονοι (prógoni) - ancestors -
ξεχάσει (xehási) - forgotten (perfective infinitive from ξεχνώ)
The passage uses both ακόμα and ακόμη, showing their interchangeability. The genitive constructions (των βουνών “of the mountains,” των προγόνων “of the ancestors”) are characteristic of Greek nominal syntax.
F-E: Cultural Commentary
This passage reflects a common theme in modern Greek discourse: the tension between tradition and modernity. The use of ακόμα/ακόμη in both emphatic and temporal senses emphasizes cultural continuity—that traditional ways persist even in contemporary Greece, even among young people.
The mountain villages (χωριά των βουνών) represent repositories of Greek cultural heritage. The passage’s rhetoric, built around ακόμα, suggests both surprise (that traditions persist) and appreciation (that they do).
This exemplifies how a single grammatical element—the versatile adverb ακόμα—can carry significant cultural meaning, expressing both temporal continuity (”still”) and the extension of preservation to unexpected domains (”even”).
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Part A: Interlinear Construed Text (Examples 63.16-63.30)
63.16a Η (I) the-FEM.NOM Κατερίνα (Katerína) Katerina ήταν (ítan) was ακόμα (akóma) still μαθήτρια (mathítria) student όταν (ótan) when άρχισε (árhise) began-3SG να (na) to γράφει (gráfi) write
63.16b I (i) the Katerína (katerína) Katerina ítan (ítan) was akóma (akóma) still mathítria (mathítria) student ótan (ótan) when árhise (árhise) began na (na) to gráfi (gráfi) write
63.17a Ακόμα (Akóma) even και (kai) and οι (i) the-MASC.NOM.PL καθηγητές (kathigités) professors της (tis) her-GEN εκπλήσσονταν (ekplíssonda) were-amazed-3PL με (me) with το (to) the-NEUT.ACC ταλέντο (taléndo) talent της (tis) her-GEN
63.17b Akóma (akóma) even kai (kai) and i (i) the kathigités (kathigités) professors tis (tis) her ekplíssonda (ekplíssonda) were-amazed me (me) with to (to) the taléndo (taléndo) talent tis (tis) her
63.18a Τώρα (Tóra) now είναι (eínai) is ακόμη (akómi) still νέα (néa) young αλλά (allá) but έχει (éhi) has ήδη (ídi) already γράψει (grápsi) written τρία (tría) three βιβλία (vivlía) books
63.18b Tóra (tóra) now eínai (eínai) is akómi (akómi) still néa (néa) young allá (allá) but éhi (éhi) has ídi (ídi) already grápsi (grápsi) written tría (tría) three vivlía (vivlía) books
63.19a Το (To) the-NEUT.NOM πρώτο (próto) first της (tis) her-GEN μυθιστόρημα (mithistórima) novel δεν (den) not έχει (éhi) has τελειώσει (teliósei) finished ακόμα (akóma) yet
63.19b To (to) the próto (próto) first tis (tis) her mithistórima (mithistórima) novel den (den) not éhi (éhi) has teliósei (teliósei) finished akóma (akóma) yet
63.20a Δουλεύει (Dulévi) works-3SG σ’ (s’) in αυτό (aftó) this-NEUT.ACC ακόμη (akómi) still κάθε (káthe) every βράδυ (vrádi) evening μετά (metá) after τη (ti) the-FEM.ACC δουλειά (duliá) work
63.20b Dulévi (dulévi) works s’ (s’) in aftó (aftó) this akómi (akómi) still káthe (káthe) every vrádi (vrádi) evening metá (metá) after ti (ti) the duliá (duliá) work
63.21a Ακόμα (Akóma) even κι (ki) and όταν (ótan) when είναι (eínai) is κουρασμένη (kurasméni) tired βρίσκει (vríski) finds-3SG τη (ti) the-FEM.ACC δύναμη (dýnami) strength να (na) to γράψει (grápsi) write
63.21b Akóma (akóma) even ki (ki) and ótan (ótan) when eínai (eínai) is kurasméni (kurasméni) tired vríski (vríski) finds ti (ti) the dýnami (dýnami) strength na (na) to grápsi (grápsi) write
63.22a Χρειάζεται (Hreiázete) needs-3SG ακόμα (akóma) more χρόνο (hróno) time για (gia) for να (na) to το (to) it-NEUT.ACC τελειώσει (teliósi) finish-3SG
63.22b Hreiázete (hreiázete) needs akóma (akóma) more hróno (hróno) time gia (gia) for na (na) to to (to) it teliósi (teliósi) finish
63.23a Οι (I) the-MASC.NOM.PL εκδότες (ekdótes) publishers δεν (den) not έχουν (éhun) have-3PL δει (di) seen ακόμα (akóma) yet το (to) the-NEUT.ACC χειρόγραφο (hirógrafo) manuscript
63.23b I (i) the ekdótes (ekdótes) publishers den (den) not éhun (éhun) have di (di) seen akóma (akóma) yet to (to) the hirógrafo (hirógrafo) manuscript
63.24a Περιμένουν (Periménun) wait-3PL ακόμη (akómi) still να (na) to τους (tus) them-ACC το (to) it-NEUT.ACC στείλει (stíli) send-3SG
63.24b Periménun (periménun) wait akómi (akómi) still na (na) to tus (tus) them to (to) it stíli (stíli) send
63.25a Ακόμα (Akóma) even πιο (pio) more δύσκολο (dýskolo) difficult από (apó) than το (to) the-NEUT.ACC γράψιμο (grápsimo) writing είναι (eínai) is η (i) the-FEM.NOM επιμέλεια (epimélia) editing
63.25b Akóma (akóma) even pio (pio) more dýskolo (dýskolo) difficult apó (apó) than to (to) the grápsimo (grápsimo) writing eínai (eínai) is i (i) the epimélia (epimélia) editing
63.26a Κάθε (Káthe) every κεφάλαιο (kefáleo) chapter το (to) it-NEUT.ACC ξαναδιαβάζει (xanadiavází) re-reads-3SG ακόμα (akóma) more μία (mía) one φορά (forá) time
63.26b Káthe (káthe) every kefáleo (kefáleo) chapter to (to) it xanadiavází (xanadiavází) re-reads akóma (akóma) more mía (mía) one forá (forá) time
63.27a Ακόμα (Akóma) even και (kai) and τα (ta) the-NEUT.ACC.PL μικρά (mikrá) small λάθη (láthi) mistakes πρέπει (prépi) must-3SG να (na) to διορθώσει (diorthósi) correct-3SG
63.27b Akóma (akóma) even kai (kai) and ta (ta) the mikrá (mikrá) small láthi (láthi) mistakes prépi (prépi) must na (na) to diorthósi (diorthósi) correct
63.28a Η (I) the-FEM.NOM μητέρα (mitéra) mother της (tis) her-GEN την (tin) her-ACC ρωτάει (rotái) asks-3SG ακόμα (akóma) still πότε (póte) when θα (tha) will τελειώσει (teliósi) finish-3SG
63.28b I (i) the mitéra (mitéra) mother tis (tis) her tin (tin) her rotái (rotái) asks akóma (akóma) still póte (póte) when tha (tha) will teliósi (teliósi) finish
63.29a Η (I) the-FEM.NOM Κατερίνα (Katerína) Katerina χαμογελάει (hamogelái) smiles-3SG και (kai) and λέει (léi) says-3SG ακόμα (akóma) more λίγο (lígo) little
63.29b I (i) the Katerína (katerína) Katerina hamogelái (hamogelái) smiles kai (kai) and léi (léi) says akóma (akóma) more lígo (lígo) little
63.30a Ακόμη (Akómi) even κι (ki) and αν (an) if η (i) the-FEM.NOM αναμονή (anamoní) wait είναι (eínai) is δύσκολη (dýskoli) difficult αξίζει (axízi) is-worth-3SG τον (ton) the-MASC.ACC κόπο (kópo) effort
63.30b Akómi (akómi) even ki (ki) and an (an) if i (i) the anamoní (anamoní) wait eínai (eínai) is dýskoli (dýskoli) difficult axízi (axízi) is-worth ton (ton) the kópo (kópo) effort
Part B: Natural Sentences
63.16 Η Κατερίνα ήταν ακόμα μαθήτρια όταν άρχισε να γράφει. I Katerína ítan akóma mathítria ótan árhise na gráfi. “Katerina was still a student when she began to write.”
63.17 Ακόμα και οι καθηγητές της εκπλήσσονταν με το ταλέντο της. Akóma kai i kathigités tis ekplíssonda me to taléndo tis. “Even her professors were amazed by her talent.”
63.18 Τώρα είναι ακόμη νέα αλλά έχει ήδη γράψει τρία βιβλία. Tóra eínai akómi néa allá éhi ídi grápsi tría vivlía. “Now she is still young but has already written three books.”
63.19 Το πρώτο της μυθιστόρημα δεν έχει τελειώσει ακόμα. To próto tis mithistórima den éhi teliósei akóma. “Her first novel isn’t finished yet.”
63.20 Δουλεύει σ’ αυτό ακόμη κάθε βράδυ μετά τη δουλειά. Dulévi s’ aftó akómi káthe vrádi metá ti duliá. “She still works on it every evening after work.”
63.21 Ακόμα κι όταν είναι κουρασμένη βρίσκει τη δύναμη να γράψει. Akóma ki ótan eínai kurasméni vríski ti dýnami na grápsi. “Even when she’s tired she finds the strength to write.”
63.22 Χρειάζεται ακόμα χρόνο για να το τελειώσει. Hreiázete akóma hróno gia na to teliósi. “She needs more time to finish it.”
63.23 Οι εκδότες δεν έχουν δει ακόμα το χειρόγραφο. I ekdótes den éhun di akóma to hirógrafo. “The publishers haven’t seen the manuscript yet.”
63.24 Περιμένουν ακόμη να τους το στείλει. Periménun akómi na tus to stíli. “They’re still waiting for her to send it to them.”
63.25 Ακόμα πιο δύσκολο από το γράψιμο είναι η επιμέλεια. Akóma pio dýskolo apó to grápsimo eínai i epimélia. “Even more difficult than the writing is the editing.”
63.26 Κάθε κεφάλαιο το ξαναδιαβάζει ακόμα μία φορά. Káthe kefáleo to xanadiavází akóma mía forá. “She re-reads each chapter one more time.”
63.27 Ακόμα και τα μικρά λάθη πρέπει να διορθώσει. Akóma kai ta mikrá láthi prépi na diorthósi. “She must correct even the small mistakes.”
63.28 Η μητέρα της την ρωτάει ακόμα πότε θα τελειώσει. I mitéra tis tin rotái akóma póte tha teliósi. “Her mother still asks her when she will finish.”
63.29 Η Κατερίνα χαμογελάει και λέει ακόμα λίγο. I Katerína hamogelái kai léi akóma lígo. “Katerina smiles and says a little more.”
63.30 Ακόμη κι αν η αναμονή είναι δύσκολη αξίζει τον κόπο. Akómi ki an i anamoní eínai dýskoli axízi ton kópo. “Even if the wait is difficult it’s worth the effort.”
Part C: Target Language Only
63.16 Η Κατερίνα ήταν ακόμα μαθήτρια όταν άρχισε να γράφει. I Katerína ítan akóma mathítria ótan árhise na gráfi.
63.17 Ακόμα και οι καθηγητές της εκπλήσσονταν με το ταλέντο της. Akóma kai i kathigités tis ekplíssonda me to taléndo tis.
63.18 Τώρα είναι ακόμη νέα αλλά έχει ήδη γράψει τρία βιβλία. Tóra eínai akómi néa allá éhi ídi grápsi tría vivlía.
63.19 Το πρώτο της μυθιστόρημα δεν έχει τελειώσει ακόμα. To próto tis mithistórima den éhi teliósei akóma.
63.20 Δουλεύει σ’ αυτό ακόμη κάθε βράδυ μετά τη δουλειά. Dulévi s’ aftó akómi káthe vrádi metá ti duliá.
63.21 Ακόμα κι όταν είναι κουρασμένη βρίσκει τη δύναμη να γράψει. Akóma ki ótan eínai kurasméni vríski ti dýnami na grápsi.
63.22 Χρειάζεται ακόμα χρόνο για να το τελειώσει. Hreiázete akóma hróno gia na to teliósi.
63.23 Οι εκδότες δεν έχουν δει ακόμα το χειρόγραφο. I ekdótes den éhun di akóma to hirógrafo.
63.24 Περιμένουν ακόμη να τους το στείλει. Periménun akómi na tus to stíli.
63.25 Ακόμα πιο δύσκολο από το γράψιμο είναι η επιμέλεια. Akóma pio dýskolo apó to grápsimo eínai i epimélia.
63.26 Κάθε κεφάλαιο το ξαναδιαβάζει ακόμα μία φορά. Káthe kefáleo to xanadiavází akóma mía forá.
63.27 Ακόμα και τα μικρά λάθη πρέπει να διορθώσει. Akóma kai ta mikrá láthi prépi na diorthósi.
63.28 Η μητέρα της την ρωτάει ακόμα πότε θα τελειώσει. I mitéra tis tin rotái akóma póte tha teliósi.
63.29 Η Κατερίνα χαμογελάει και λέει ακόμα λίγο. I Katerína hamogelái kai léi akóma lígo.
63.30 Ακόμη κι αν η αναμονή είναι δύσκολη αξίζει τον κόπο. Akómi ki an i anamoní eínai dýskoli axízi ton kópo.
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This narrative about the young writer Katerina demonstrates all primary functions of ακόμα/ακόμη in connected discourse:
Temporal Continuative (”still”): -
ήταν ακόμα μαθήτρια (63.16) - “was still a student” -
είναι ακόμη νέα (63.18) - “is still young” -
Δουλεύει... ακόμη (63.20) - “still works” -
Περιμένουν ακόμη (63.24) - “are still waiting” -
ρωτάει ακόμα (63.28) - “still asks”
Temporal Prospective (”yet/not yet”): -
δεν έχει τελειώσει ακόμα (63.19) - “hasn’t finished yet” -
δεν έχουν δει ακόμα (63.23) - “haven’t seen yet”
Emphatic Scalar (”even”): -
Ακόμα και οι καθηγητές (63.17) - “even the professors” -
Ακόμα κι όταν είναι κουρασμένη (63.21) - “even when she’s tired” -
Ακόμα και τα μικρά λάθη (63.27) - “even the small mistakes” -
Ακόμη κι αν η αναμονή... (63.30) - “even if the wait...”
Quantitative Additive (”more”): -
Χρειάζεται ακόμα χρόνο (63.22) - “needs more time” -
ακόμα μία φορά (63.26) - “one more time” -
λέει ακόμα λίγο (63.29) - “says a little more”
Comparative Intensification: -
Ακόμα πιο δύσκολο (63.25) - “even more difficult”
This concentrated usage in a short narrative shows how ακόμα is woven throughout natural Greek discourse, serving multiple semantic functions while maintaining discourse cohesion. The variety of constructions (ακόμα, ακόμη, ακόμα και, ακόμη κι αν) demonstrates the word’s morphological and syntactic flexibility.
Notice the natural Greek preference for placing ακόμα at different positions depending on function: clause-final for temporal usage (δεν τελειώσει ακόμα), pre-emphatic for scalar usage (ακόμα και οι καθηγητές), and post-quantity for additive usage (ακόμα χρόνο).
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IPA Transcription: -
ακόμα: [aˈko.ma] -
ακόμη: [aˈko.mi]
Stress: Always on the second syllable (-κό-)
Key Sounds: -
α [a] - open front vowel, like “a” in “father” -
κ [k] - voiceless velar stop, like “k” in “sky” -
ό [o] - mid back rounded vowel with stress, like “o” in “bone” -
μ [m] - bilabial nasal -
Final -α [a] or -η [i]
Common Pronunciation Errors for English Speakers: -
Misplacing stress: *ácoma instead of akóma - stress must be on second syllable -
Pronouncing κ as “ch”: Before /o/ and /a/, κ is always [k], never [x] -
Reducing unstressed vowels: Greek vowels maintain full quality even when unstressed -
Merging ακόμα and ακόμη: While interchangeable in meaning, maintain the phonetic distinction [a] vs. [i]
Audio Reference Suggestions: -
Forvo.com for native speaker pronunciations -
Greek language learning apps (GreekPod101, Pimsleur Greek) -
YouTube channels focusing on Modern Greek pronunciation -
Greek news broadcasts (ERT, SKAI) for natural rapid speech
Tone/Stress Patterns: Modern Greek has lexical stress marked by the acute accent (΄). The stress on -κό- is essential: -
Wrong: άκομα, ακομά, άκομή -
Correct: ακόμα, ακόμη
Stress affects meaning in Greek, though ακόμα has no stress-based minimal pairs.
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This is Lesson 63 in the Latinum Institute’s comprehensive Modern Greek course, part of our Modern Language Course series. Since 2006, the Latinum Institute has been creating high-quality language learning materials using the proven construed text methodology.
Our Approach: This course uses interlinear glossing—a technique where each word in the target language is immediately followed by its English equivalent. This method, refined over decades, allows autodidact students to comprehend authentic Greek texts from day one while systematically building vocabulary and grammatical understanding.
Course Structure: Each lesson focuses on a high-frequency word selected from scientifically compiled frequency lists. You encounter each word in 30 diverse contexts (15 foundational examples + 15 genre-specific examples), seeing it function across different grammatical environments, registers, and discourse types.
Why Frequency-Based?: Research shows the top 1000 words account for approximately 80% of everyday language use. By systematically learning high-frequency vocabulary, you build a functional foundation for real-world communication and reading.
The Construed Text Advantage: -
Immediate Comprehension: No need to constantly consult dictionaries -
Grammatical Transparency: See how Greek structures meaning word-by-word -
Authentic Language: Learn from real usage patterns, not artificial textbook sentences -
Self-Paced Learning: Perfect for independent study -
Systematic Progression: Build knowledge cumulatively through frequency-ranked vocabulary
Trustpilot Reviews: See what our students say about Latinum Institute materials at https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
Course Index: Access the complete Modern Greek course sequence at https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
For Educators and Learners: Whether you’re a classroom teacher seeking supplementary materials, a self-directed language learner, or someone preparing for travel or work in Greece and Cyprus, this course provides structured, scientifically-grounded instruction in Modern Greek.
Modern Greek (Ελληνικά): With approximately 13 million speakers worldwide, Modern Greek is the official language of Greece and Cyprus and a recognized minority language in several other countries. As the direct descendant of Ancient Greek, it offers access to one of the world’s richest literary and philosophical traditions while serving as a vibrant, living language of contemporary Mediterranean culture.
The Greek Alphabet: While learning a new alphabet might seem daunting initially, the Greek script is remarkably systematic once mastered. This course’s dual-line format (Greek script with romanization) allows you to gradually internalize the alphabet while maintaining comprehension.
Beyond Vocabulary: While each lesson centers on a specific word, you’re simultaneously learning: -
Greek syntax and word order -
Case system (nominative, genitive, accusative, vocative) -
Verb conjugation patterns -
Article usage (definite/indefinite) -
Cultural and pragmatic aspects of language use
Your Learning Journey: Lesson 63 on ακόμα/ακόμη equips you with one of Greek’s most versatile and frequently-used adverbs. Master this word’s various functions, and you’ll be able to express temporal relationships, emphasis, and quantitative extensions naturally—essential skills for both conversational fluency and reading comprehension.
Continue your journey through the Modern Greek language with confidence, systematic progression, and the proven Latinum Institute methodology.
Καλή επιτυχία! (Good luck!)
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