Εσύ μιλάς αγγλικά ή ελληνικά;

Do you speak English or Greek?

Breakdown of Εσύ μιλάς αγγλικά ή ελληνικά;

• ή: or
• εσύ: you
• μιλάω: to speak
• αγγλικά: in English
• ελληνικά: in Greek

Questions & Answers about Εσύ μιλάς αγγλικά ή ελληνικά;

Why does the sentence end with a semicolon-looking mark?

In Greek, the character that looks like a semicolon (;) is the question mark. So ; in Greek equals ? in English. For an actual semicolon/colon in Greek, you’ll see a raised dot · (called άνω τελεία), though it’s rare in modern usage.

Do I need the pronoun Εσύ here?

No. Greek is a “pro-drop” language, so the subject pronoun is usually omitted. Μιλάς αγγλικά ή ελληνικά; is the most natural neutral version. Including Εσύ adds emphasis, roughly “Do you (as opposed to someone else) speak English or Greek?”

Why is there no article (like “the”) before αγγλικά/ελληνικά?

With verbs like μιλάω/μιλώ (to speak) and ξέρω (to know), languages are used without an article: Μιλάω ελληνικά, Ξέρω αγγλικά. Use the article when the language is the subject or otherwise specified: Τα ελληνικά είναι δύσκολα (“Greek is difficult”), Τα αγγλικά της είναι άπταιστα (“Her English is flawless”). Advanced: you may see topicalized patterns like Τα αγγλικά τα μιλάει πολύ καλά, but the default after μιλάω is no article.

Why are the words for languages plural (e.g., αγγλικά, ελληνικά)?

In Greek, names of languages are usually neuter plural forms of adjectives used as nouns. Think “the English (language)” as a category. If you want the singular idea “the Greek language,” you’d say η ελληνική γλώσσα.

What’s the difference between μιλάς and μιλάτε? And between μιλάω and μιλώ?

• μιλάς = you speak (singular, informal)
• μιλάτε = you speak (plural, or singular formal/polite)
• μιλάω and μιλώ are both valid “I speak” forms; μιλάω is a bit more colloquial, μιλώ a bit more formal, but both are common. The rest of the paradigm follows the same pattern (e.g., μιλά, μιλάμε, μιλάνε/μιλούν).

How do I pronounce the sentence?

Approximate IPA: [eˈsi miˈlas aŋgliˈka i eliniˈka]

• Εσύ: e-SEE
• μιλάς: mee-LAHS
• αγγλικά: ang-glee-KÁ (note γγ = [ŋg], like “sin” + “go”)
• ή: ee
• ελληνικά: e-lee-nee-KÁ
  Stress is marked by the accent on the vowel.

What does the accent mark (´) do in words like μιλάς, αγγλικά, ελληνικά?

It marks the stressed syllable. Greek has one main stress per word (monotonic system). So μιλάς is stressed on the last syllable, αγγλικά and ελληνικά are also stressed on the last syllable.

Why is ή accented? Isn’t η also a valid letter?

Yes. ή (with accent) is the conjunction “or.” η (without accent) is the feminine article “the.” The accent distinguishes them: αγγλικά ή ελληνικά = “English or Greek.”

Could I say Λες αγγλικά; instead of Μιλάς αγγλικά;?

No. λέω means “to say/tell,” not “to speak (a language).” Use μιλάω/μιλώ for speaking a language, or ξέρω for “know (a language),” e.g., Ξέρεις αγγλικά;

Can I make the question formal or more polite?

Yes:

• Μιλάτε αγγλικά ή ελληνικά; (formal/plural)
• Add softeners: Συγγνώμη, μιλάτε αγγλικά; or Μήπως μιλάτε αγγλικά; (“By any chance, do you speak English?”)

Is it correct to capitalize language names in Greek?

No. In standard modern Greek, language and nationality words are not capitalized unless they start a sentence or are part of a title. So αγγλικά, ελληνικά (lowercase).

Does the Greek present here mean “Do you speak” or “Are you speaking”?

Both. The Greek present covers both simple and progressive aspects. Context decides whether it’s general ability/habit or current action.

Can I change the word order?

Yes. Greek allows flexible word order for emphasis:

• Μιλάς αγγλικά ή ελληνικά; (neutral)
• Εσύ μιλάς αγγλικά ή ελληνικά; (emphasis on “you”)
• Αγγλικά ή ελληνικά μιλάς; (fronts the options) Meaning stays the same; the nuance shifts.

How would I ask “Do you speak both English and Greek?”

• Μιλάς αγγλικά και ελληνικά; (usually implies both)
• For explicit “both…and”: Μιλάς και αγγλικά και ελληνικά;

How do I say “Which language do you speak?”

• Ποια γλώσσα μιλάς; (Which language do you speak?)
• Τι γλώσσα μιλάς; (What language do you speak?)

How would I say “in English or in Greek?” as in “Shall we speak in English or in Greek?”

Use στα (“in” + plural article): Στα αγγλικά ή στα ελληνικά;
Full question: Να μιλήσουμε στα αγγλικά ή στα ελληνικά;

What are natural answers to this question?

• Μιλάω αγγλικά. (I speak English.)
• Μιλάω ελληνικά. (I speak Greek.)
• Μιλάω και τα δύο. (I speak both.)
• Μόνο ελληνικά. (Only Greek.)
• Negative: Δεν μιλάω αγγλικά, μιλάω ελληνικά. (I don’t speak English; I speak Greek.)