Είμαι πολύ καλά.

to be

Breakdown of Είμαι πολύ καλά.

• καλά: well
• πολύ: very

Questions & Answers about Είμαι πολύ καλά.

How do you pronounce Είμαι πολύ καλά;

• IPA: [ˈime poˈli kaˈla]
• Stress and syllables: Εί-μαι πο-λύ κα-λά
• Transliteration with stress: Ímai polý kalá Note: ει is pronounced [i], and αι is [e], so -μαι sounds like [me] → [ˈime].

What does each word mean literally?

• Είμαι = I am (1st person singular of “to be”)
• πολύ = very/a lot (adverb)
• καλά = well (adverb) Literal sense: I am very well.

Why is it καλά and not καλός/καλή/καλό?

To talk about health/feeling, Greek uses the adverb καλά with είμαι.

• Είμαι καλά = I’m well.
• Είμαι καλός/καλή = I’m good (e.g., skilled or morally good), not “I’m well.” Example: Είμαι καλός στο τένις. = I’m good at tennis.

Does καλά change with gender or number?

No. Καλά is an adverb here and doesn’t change.
Only the adjective changes: καλός (m), καλή (f), καλό (n).

Can I drop the subject pronoun?

Yes. Greek drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows person.
Use εγώ only for emphasis/contrast: Εγώ είμαι πολύ καλά, εσύ;

Can I change the word order?

Yes, for emphasis:

• Είμαι πολύ καλά. neutral.
• Πολύ καλά είμαι. emphasizes “very well.”
• Καλά είμαι. reassuring: “I’m fine.”

Can I just reply Πολύ καλά as a short answer?

Absolutely. Common exchange: — Πώς είσαι; — Πολύ καλά, ευχαριστώ. Εσύ;
You can also say Καλά, εσύ;

How do I say it in the negative or soften it?

• Δεν είμαι πολύ καλά. = I’m not very well.
• Δεν είμαι και πολύ καλά. = I’m not that well.
• Short replies: Όχι πολύ καλά. / Καθόλου καλά.

Are there stronger or milder intensifiers than πολύ?

• Stronger: πάρα πολύ (extremely): Είμαι πάρα πολύ καλά.
• Milder: αρκετά/σχετικά (fairly/relatively): Είμαι αρκετά καλά.
• So…: τόσο: Είμαι τόσο καλά σήμερα!

What are some colloquial alternatives to say “I’m (very) well”?

• Είμαι μια χαρά. / Μια χαρά! (very common)
• Όλα καλά.
• Τέλεια! / Άψογα! (great/perfect)

What is είμαι exactly, and how is it conjugated in the present?

είμαι is the verb “to be,” irregular in form:

• είμαι, είσαι, είναι, είμαστε, είστε/είσαστε, είναι

Why does είμαι end in -μαι, and how is that pronounced?

Historically, -μαι is the 1st person singular mediopassive ending; είμαι is irregular but uses that shape.
Pronunciation: -μαι = [me], so είμαι = [ˈime].

What’s the difference between είμαι καλά and νιώθω καλά?

• Είμαι καλά: general state (“I’m well/fine”).
• Νιώθω καλά: emphasizes how you feel (“I feel well”), often about current sensations. Both are natural.

Any common spelling or accent pitfalls?

• είμαι (not ήμαι).
• πολύ (one λ; not πολη/πολή).
• καλά has the accent on the last syllable.
• Don’t use καλώς here; Είμαι καλώς is incorrect. Καλώς appears in set phrases like Καλώς ήρθες (“Welcome”).

How do I ask the question that prompts this answer?

• Πώς είσαι; = How are you?
• Τι κάνεις; = How are you doing?
  Typical reply: Πολύ καλά, ευχαριστώ. Εσύ;
  Note: Greek uses the semicolon (;) as the question mark.