Learn Hardcore Greek: Τώρα είναι δύο η ώρα.

Greek doesn’t use a dummy subject like English “it.” The verb είναι (is) stands on its own. The understood subject is the time; more precisely, the grammatical subject is η ώρα (the hour), which can appear later in the sentence.

What does η ώρα mean here, and why the article η?

Η ώρα literally means “the hour.” Greek uses the definite article when telling time, roughly where English uses “o’clock.” Ώρα is a feminine noun, so its nominative singular article is η.

Is η ώρα the subject, even though it’s at the end?

Yes. In Τώρα είναι δύο η ώρα, the subject is η ώρα (the hour), placed after the verb. Greek allows flexible word order, especially with set phrases.

Can I leave out η ώρα and just say Τώρα είναι δύο?

Yes. In everyday speech you can say simply Είναι δύο or Τώρα είναι δύο. Adding η ώρα is explicit and common in careful or instructional contexts.

How flexible is the word order?

Quite flexible. All are acceptable:

Τώρα είναι δύο η ώρα.
Είναι δύο η ώρα τώρα.
Η ώρα είναι δύο τώρα.
Είναι δύο. (most casual)

Why is it μία for 1 o’clock and not ένα?

Because ώρα is feminine. The numeral agrees in gender:

1: Είναι μία (η ώρα).
For 3 and 4 you also use feminine forms:
3: Είναι τρεις (η ώρα).
4: Είναι τέσσερις (η ώρα).

Does δύο change form for gender or case?

No. Δύο is invariable in Modern Greek. It doesn’t change for gender or case.

How do I pronounce the sentence?

Τώρα: ['to-ra] (TO-ra; stress on the first syllable)
είναι: ['i-ne] (EE-neh)
δύο: [ðjo] ~ [ðio] (like “thee-oh” fused to “thyo”; δ = the th of “this”)
η ώρα: [i 'o-ra] (ee OR-a; stress on ÓRA)

I’ve seen δυο without an accent. Is that the same as δύο?

Yes. Both spellings are standard. δυο (often pronounced [ðjo]) is very common in everyday writing; δύο (often [ðio]) is also correct. The meaning is identical.

Why do Τώρα and ώρα have accents, but η doesn’t?

Greek marks the stressed vowel with an accent (τόνος): Τώρα, ώρα. The article η is normally unstressed and written without an accent. Be aware that accented ή means “or,” which is a different word.

Should there be a comma after Τώρα?

No comma is needed here. Short fronted adverbs like Τώρα don’t usually take a comma unless there’s a pause for emphasis.

How do I say times with minutes like 2:15, 2:30, 2:45?

2:15: (Είναι) δύο και τέταρτο.
2:30: (Είναι) δύο και μισή.
2:45: (Είναι) τρεις παρά τέταρτο.
You can omit η ώρα in these.

How do I specify morning/afternoon/evening/night?

Add a time-of-day phrase:

το πρωί (morning): Είναι δύο το πρωί.
το μεσημέρι (noon/around 12–3): Είναι δύο το μεσημέρι is not used; say Είναι δύο το απόγευμα for 2 p.m.
το απόγευμα (afternoon): Είναι δύο το απόγευμα.
το βράδυ (evening): Είναι δύο το βράδυ.
τη νύχτα (at night): Είναι δύο τη νύχτα.

Do Greeks use the 24‑hour format when speaking?

In speech, people use the 12‑hour style with time-of-day words (e.g., δύο το απόγευμα). The 24‑hour format is common in writing (e.g., timetables: 14:00), not as “δεκατέσσερις η ώρα” in conversation.

Can I say δύο ώρες to mean “two o’clock”?

No. Δύο ώρες means “two hours” (a duration). For the time of day, use δύο (η ώρα).

How do I ask “What time is it?” in Greek?

Τι ώρα είναι; (most common)
Informally to a person: Έχεις ώρα; (Do you have the time?)