Polite You

Level 1Sounds Like eseís

Addressing one person politely normally uses second-person plural verb forms.

How It Works

Addressing one person politely normally uses second-person plural verb forms.

Εσείς and σας serve both polite singular and ordinary plural address. The surrounding situation shows which is intended; a predicate adjective can still describe one person's gender and singular number.

GreekMeaning
Είστε καλά;Are you well?
Μιλάτε ελληνικά;Do you speak Greek?
Πώς σας λένε;What is your name?

Examples (3)

  1. Είστε καλά;

    Are you well?

  2. Μιλάτε ελληνικά;

    Do you speak Greek?

  3. Πώς σας λένε;

    What is your name?

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Polite YouLevel 1

Learn This First

Recognize second-person plural reference and agreement before using it to address one person politely.

Words in This Pattern

εσείς