Naming a Recipient in the Genitive

Level 5

Certain verbs allow a full genitive recipient phrase alongside short genitive pronouns or a σε-phrase.

How It Works

Certain verbs allow a full genitive recipient phrase alongside short genitive pronouns or a σε-phrase.

The choice depends on the verb, register and information structure. Standard everyday Greek commonly uses σε with an accusative noun phrase, while a genitive recipient is also possible in constructions such as δίνω του παιδιού.

GreekMeaning
Έδωσα του παιδιού ένα βιβλίο.I gave the child a book.
Έδωσα ένα βιβλίο στο παιδί.I gave a book to the child.
Της Άννας της είπα την αλήθεια.I told Anna the truth.

Examples (3)

  1. Έδωσα του παιδιού ένα βιβλίο.

    I gave the child a book.

  2. Έδωσα ένα βιβλίο στο παιδί.

    I gave a book to the child.

  3. Της Άννας της είπα την αλήθεια.

    I told Anna the truth.

How It Connects

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

Naming a Recipient in the GenitiveLevel 5

Learn This First

Recognize a genitive recipient pronoun before comparing full genitive recipients with σε-phrases.

Words in This Pattern

σου