Log inSign up

Τώρα είναι δύο η ώρα.

Τώρα είναι δύο η ώρα.
It is two o'clock now.
FromLesson 2inHardcore Greek
…

Breakdown of Τώρα είναι δύο η ώρα.

είμαι
to be
τώρα
now
η ώρα
the time
δύο
two

Questions & Answers about Τώρα είναι δύο η ώρα.

Why is there no “it” in Greek? Why just είναι?
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?)

More from this lesson

καλημέραΚαλημέρα!Καλημέρα, πώς είστε;συγγνώμηΣυγγνώμη, μιλάτε αγγλικά;δενΣυγγνώμη, δεν μιλάω καλά ελληνικά.εσείς
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Greek grammar?”
Greek grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Greek

Master Greek — from Τώρα είναι δύο η ώρα to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.

  • ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Start learning Greek freeBrowse the full course