δηλαδή: That Is, I Mean

Greek δηλαδή tells the listener to process an idea again in a clearer, narrower, or more useful form. Depending on context, English renders it as “that is,” “in other words,” “I mean,” “so,” or “meaning…?” Its core is not hesitation but reformulation: the speaker revisits what was just said and makes its intended meaning explicit.

In everyday conversation, δηλαδή can also buy a moment while the speaker sharpens a thought. Intonation then decides whether it sounds explanatory, surprised, skeptical, or challenging.

Specify exactly what a broad phrase means

After a general time, category, or description, δηλαδή can introduce the precise item intended. It often stands after a comma or dash because the specification is parenthetical.

Θα λείψω δύο μέρες, δηλαδή την Τετάρτη και την Πέμπτη.

tha lípso dhío méres, dhiladhí tin Tetárti ke tin Pémpti

I'll be away for two days, namely Wednesday and Thursday.

Χρειαζόμαστε ένα άτομο με τεχνική εμπειρία, δηλαδή κάποιον που να ξέρει το σύστημα.

chriazómaste éna átomo me technikí empiría, dhiladhí kápion pu na kséri to sístima

We need someone with technical experience—that is, somebody who knows the system.

Η προθεσμία λήγει στο τέλος της εβδομάδας, δηλαδή την Παρασκευή στις πέντε.

i prothezmía líyi sto télos tis evdhomádhas, dhiladhí tin Paraskeví stis pénde

The deadline expires at the end of the week, that is, Friday at five.

The second expression does not add another independent fact. It identifies the intended reference of the first: which days, what kind of person, and what “end of the week” means here.

💡

If the second phrase could answer “more precisely?”, δηλαδή is a strong choice. For a mere additional example among several possibilities, use an example marker such as για παράδειγμα instead.

Restate an idea in clearer words

The reformulation may be a full proposition rather than a narrower noun phrase. This is common when explaining technical language, correcting an overcompressed statement, or translating an idea into practical terms.

Το πρόγραμμα θα λειτουργεί ασύγχρονα, δηλαδή οι συμμετέχοντες δεν χρειάζεται να συνδέονται την ίδια ώρα.

to próghrama tha lituryí asíngchrona, dhiladhí i simetéchondes dhen chriázete na sindhéonde tin ídhia óra

The program will run asynchronously; in other words, participants do not need to be online at the same time.

Δεν απορρίπτουμε την πρόταση· δηλαδή, ζητάμε πρώτα ορισμένες αλλαγές.

dhen aporíptume tin prótasi; dhiladhí, zitáme próta orisménes alaghés

We aren't rejecting the proposal; what I mean is that we're asking for some changes first.

The punctuation reflects how independent the second formulation feels. A comma integrates a short specification; a semicolon, dash, or new sentence can introduce a fuller explanation. In speech, pauses and intonation do this work.

Δηλαδή can also repair the speaker's own wording. The corrected item replaces, rather than supplements, the first one.

Θα συναντηθούμε την Παρασκευή—δηλαδή, το Σάββατο το πρωί, γιατί άλλαξε το πρόγραμμα.

tha sinandithúme tin Paraskeví—dhiladhí, to Sávato to proí, yatí álakse to próghrama

We'll meet on Friday—I mean, on Saturday morning, because the schedule changed.

English often uses I mean for this immediate self-correction. Greek needs no verb meaning “I mean”; δηλαδή alone signals that the listener should replace the previous wording.

Draw out what the first statement implies

Sometimes the second part is not a paraphrase but an implication the listener should infer. Here English often uses “so,” “which means,” or “in other words.”

Δεν απαντάει κανείς στο γραφείο, δηλαδή μάλλον έχουν φύγει όλοι.

dhen apandái kanís sto ghrafío, dhiladhí málon échun fíyi óli

Nobody is answering at the office, so they have probably all left.

Η αίτηση δεν έχει υπογραφή, δηλαδή δεν μπορεί να κατατεθεί ακόμη.

i étisi dhen échi ipoghrafí, dhiladhí dhen borí na katatethí akómi

The application has no signature, which means it cannot be submitted yet.

This use interprets the practical meaning of evidence. It overlaps with inference marker άρα, but the stance differs: άρα foregrounds the logical conclusion, while δηλαδή presents that conclusion as the clarification of what the first statement amounts to.

Ask for clarification

At the start of a question, δηλαδή asks the other speaker to unpack, specify, or confirm what was meant. It can precede a full question or stand alone with questioning intonation.

Δηλαδή, τι ακριβώς προτείνεις να αλλάξουμε;

dhiladhí, ti akrivós protínis na aláksume;

So what exactly are you proposing that we change?

Δηλαδή; Δεν θα έρθεις τελικά μαζί μας;

dhiladhí; dhen tha érthis teliká mazí mas;

Meaning? You're not coming with us after all?

Δηλαδή, λες ότι πρέπει να ξεκινήσουμε από την αρχή;

dhiladhí, les óti prépi na ksekinísume apó tin archí;

So, are you saying that we have to start from the beginning?

The last pattern can be neutral confirmation, but a sharper intonation may challenge the other speaker. The word itself is not rude; the combination of context, pitch, and the proposition being repeated creates the stance.

💡

An isolated Δηλαδή; is a request to make the implication explicit. Said calmly it means “what do you mean?”; said sharply it can mean “and what exactly is that supposed to mean?”

Everyday filler and clarifier

Conversation often places δηλαδή parenthetically while a speaker searches for a more exact characterization. It is neutral and extremely frequent (informal/spoken).

Ήταν, δηλαδή, λίγο παράξενο όλο αυτό, αλλά δεν είπα τίποτα.

ítan, dhiladhí, lígho parákseno ólo aftó, alá dhen ípa típota

It was, I mean, all a little strange, but I didn't say anything.

Θέλω, δηλαδή, να βρούμε μια λύση που να βολεύει όλους.

thélo, dhiladhí, na vrúme mia lísi pu na volévi ólus

What I mean is, I want us to find a solution that works for everyone.

Heavy repetition can make speech sound hesitant. In edited writing, retain δηλαδή when it performs a visible clarification, specification, or inference; λοιπόν instead moves the conversation toward a conclusion or next action.

Common Mistakes

1. Writing the final /i/ with ι. The stressed final syllable is spelled -δή.

❌ Δηλαδί, θα φύγουμε μία μέρα νωρίτερα.

Incorrect spelling—the marker is δηλαδή.

✅ Δηλαδή, θα φύγουμε μία μέρα νωρίτερα.

dhiladhí, tha fíghume mía méra norítera

So, we'll leave one day earlier?

2. Splitting the word into two parts. It is one invariable discourse marker.

❌ Δη λαδή θα χρειαστούμε νέο σχέδιο.

Incorrect—the reformulation marker is written as one word: δηλαδή.

✅ Δηλαδή, θα χρειαστούμε νέο σχέδιο.

dhiladhí, tha chriastúme néo schédhio

In other words, we'll need a new plan.

3. Adding an ending as though δηλαδή agreed with a noun. The marker never inflects.

❌ Δηλαδήν την Τρίτη θα είναι κλειστά;

Incorrect—δηλαδή has no case or agreement ending.

✅ Δηλαδή, την Τρίτη θα είναι κλειστά;

dhiladhí, tin Tríti tha íne klistá;

So, they'll be closed on Tuesday?

Key Takeaways

Δηλαδή revisits an idea to specify, paraphrase, correct, or explain its implication.
In a question or alone as Δηλαδή;, it asks the other speaker to make the meaning explicit.
Parenthetical spoken δηλαδή often means “I mean,” but edited prose should keep it only when it clarifies something.
Implicational δηλαδή explains what evidence amounts to; άρα foregrounds the logical inference itself.