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Questions & Answers about Πώς είναι το σπίτι;
Does this mean How is the house? or What is the house like?
Both are possible. Πώς είναι το σπίτι; most often asks for a description (appearance/condition), i.e., What is the house like? It can also mean How is the house (doing)? after, say, bad weather or renovations.
Why does the sentence end with a semicolon?
In Greek, the question mark is written as a semicolon: ; So Πώς είναι το σπίτι; is a question.
Why use πώς here and not τι or ποιο?
- πώς = how/in what way; used for descriptions: Πώς είναι το σπίτι;
- τι = what (identity/definition). Τι είναι το σπίτι; would mean What is the house? (odd unless you mean “What kind of thing is a house?”).
- ποιο = which/which one. Ποιο είναι το σπίτι; = Which one is the house? (e.g., among several buildings).
Does this ask about location?
No. For location use πού (with an accent): Πού είναι το σπίτι; = Where is the house?
What are the gender and form of το σπίτι?
Σπίτι is neuter; its article is το. Here it’s nominative singular (the subject of είναι). Note: neuter nominative and accusative look the same (το σπίτι).
Do I need the article το? Can I just say Πώς είναι σπίτι;?
Keep the article when you mean a specific house: Πώς είναι το σπίτι; Without the article, σπίτι can mean “at home”: Είμαι σπίτι = I’m at home. Different meaning.
What is είναι exactly? Why that form?
It’s the 3rd person singular present of είμαι (to be), matching the singular subject το σπίτι. Mini-paradigm (present): είμαι, είσαι, είναι, είμαστε, είστε/είσαστε, είναι.
Can I change the word order?
Yes. Greek is flexible. Το σπίτι, πώς είναι; is also fine and can sound more conversational, focusing first on “the house.”
How do I pronounce it?
Roughly: [pos ˈine to ˈspiti] → Pos íne to spíti. Notes:
- ει → /i/ (like “ee”), αι → /e/ (like “e” in “bed”); είναι sounds like íne.
- ο and ω sound the same (/o/) in Modern Greek.
Why is there an accent on Πώς? Is πως different?
Yes. Πώς (with accent) = how. πως (no accent) = that (like ότι). Accent marks distinguish them.
How else can I ask for a description?
- Τι σπίτι είναι; = What kind of house is it? (classification)
- Πώς είναι από μέσα/απ’ έξω; = What’s it like inside/outside?
- Colloquial: Τι σόι σπίτι είναι; = What kind of house is it?
How could someone answer this question naturally?
With adjectives or short descriptions that agree in neuter:
- Είναι μεγάλο/μικρό/όμορφο/παλιό/καινούριο/φωτεινό/σκοτεινό/καθαρό/βρώμικο.
- Είναι διώροφο, με κήπο και μεγάλο μπαλκόνι.
- Είναι σε καλή κατάσταση.
How do I change it for past or future?
- Past: Πώς ήταν το σπίτι; = What was the house like?
- Future: Πώς θα είναι το σπίτι; = What will the house be like?
How do I make it plural?
Plural of το σπίτι is τα σπίτια. So: Πώς είναι τα σπίτια; = What are the houses like?
How do I direct it to someone’s house politely or familiarly?
- Familiar: Πώς είναι το σπίτι σου; = What’s your house like?
- Polite/plural: Πώς είναι το σπίτι σας;
Does σπίτι also mean “home”? Any synonyms?
Yes, σπίτι often means “home” as well (e.g., γυρίζω σπίτι = I’m going home). A more formal synonym is οικία; κατοικία means “residence.” Diminutive: σπιτάκι = “little house/cozy home.”