Questions & Answers about Δεν ξέρω καλά ελληνικά.
What does each word mean and what part of speech is it?
- Δεν: negative particle (not), placed right before the verb.
- ξέρω: verb, 1st person singular present of ξέρω (I know).
- καλά: adverb (well), from the adjective καλός (good); it modifies the verb, not a noun.
- ελληνικά: neuter plural form of the adjective ελληνικός (Greek), used as a noun meaning the Greek language; it’s the direct object of the verb.
Why is ελληνικά plural if it means “Greek (language)”?
In Greek, many language names are neuter plural adjectives used as nouns (e.g., αγγλικά English, ισπανικά Spanish). So ελληνικά literally means “Greek (things)” and by convention refers to the language.
Do I need the article (τα) before ελληνικά?
No. Both forms are possible:
- Δεν ξέρω καλά ελληνικά: neutral, most common in speech.
- Δεν ξέρω καλά τα ελληνικά: more specific or contrastive (the Greek language in particular, e.g., as a school subject). You’ll also hear: Τα ελληνικά μου δεν είναι καλά (My Greek isn’t good).
Where should καλά go? Can I say Δεν ξέρω ελληνικά καλά?