…
Breakdown of Η γιατρός με περιμένει στο νοσοκομείο.
σε
at
περιμένω
to wait
με
me
η γιατρός
the doctor
το νοσοκομείο
the hospital
Questions & Answers about Η γιατρός με περιμένει στο νοσοκομείο.
Why is it Η γιατρός and not something like η γιατρίνα?
Greek often uses common-gender profession nouns in -ος for both men and women. γιατρός is one of them. With a woman, you show the gender through the article and any agreeing words: η γιατρός “the (female) doctor.” Forms like η γιατρίνα or η γιατρέσσα exist in colloquial speech, but η γιατρός is the neutral/standard choice, especially in writing and formal contexts.
Does the verb change for a female subject?
No. Verbs don’t mark gender in Greek. περιμένει is 3rd person singular present (he/she/it waits) regardless of whether the subject is male or female. Gender agreement shows up in articles and adjectives, not in the finite verb.
Can I add an adjective before γιατρός, and if so, does it go in the feminine?
Yes, adjectives agree with the feminine article. For a woman you’d say: η έμπειρη γιατρός (the experienced doctor), η καλή γιατρός (the good doctor). For a man: ο έμπειρος γιατρός, ο καλός γιατρός.
Why is it με περιμένει and not περιμένει για μένα?
In Greek, περιμένω takes a direct object: “wait for someone” = περιμένω κάποιον/κάτι. So “wait for me” is με περιμένει (me = direct object clitic). για μένα would mean “for my sake/on my behalf,” not “waiting for me.”
What’s the difference between με and εμένα?
Both mean “me,” but:
- με is the weak/clitic form used as a direct object: Η γιατρός με περιμένει.
- (ε)μένα is the strong form for emphasis or after prepositions: Η γιατρός περιμένει εμένα (όχι εσένα); σε μένα/εμένα = “to me.”
Why does the clitic με go before the verb here?
In normal statements and questions, object clitics go before the finite verb: με περιμένει. They move after the verb only with affirmative imperatives: Περίμενέ με! (Wait for me!). With negatives, futures, and subjunctives, they also go before: Μη με περιμένεις, Θα με περιμένει, Να με περιμένεις.
What does στο mean, and why not σε το?
στο is the contraction of σε + το (“in/at/to the” for neuter nouns). Greek always contracts:
- σε + το → στο, as in στο νοσοκομείο
- σε + τον → στον (masc.), σε + την → στη(ν) (fem.), σε + τους → στους (masc. pl.), σε + τις/τα → στις/στα (fem./neut. pl.)
Does στο νοσοκομείο mean “at the hospital” or “to the hospital”?
It can mean either “at/in the hospital” or “to the hospital,” depending on the verb. With a non-motion verb like περιμένει, it means location (“at/in the hospital”). With a motion verb like πάω, it means direction: Πάω στο νοσοκομείο = “I’m going to the hospital.”
Why is it στο νοσοκομείο and not στον νοσοκομείο?
Because νοσοκομείο is neuter: το νοσοκομείο. So with σε, you use the neuter contraction στο, not the masculine στον.
Could I drop the subject and just say Με περιμένει στο νοσοκομείο?
Yes. Greek is a pro-drop language, so the subject is often omitted when clear from context. Με περιμένει στο νοσοκομείο naturally means “She/He is waiting for me at the hospital.” You include Η γιατρός when you want to specify who or emphasize that it’s the doctor (and here, specifically a female doctor).
Does the present tense περιμένει mean “is waiting” or “waits”?
Both. Greek present covers both simple and progressive meanings. Context tells you which: here it’s naturally “is waiting.” For habitual: Η γιατρός με περιμένει κάθε πρωί = “The doctor waits for me every morning.”
If the doctor were male, how would the sentence change?
You’d use the masculine article: Ο γιατρός με περιμένει στο νοσοκομείο. Everything else stays the same.
What cases are used in this sentence?
- Η γιατρός: nominative (subject).
- με: accusative weak object pronoun (“me”).
- στο νοσοκομείο: accusative after the preposition σε (prepositions in Greek take the accusative).
Is the definite article required before νοσοκομείο?
Yes, Greek typically uses the definite article with singular count nouns in such contexts: στο νοσοκομείο. English also usually says “at the hospital,” though BrE sometimes says “in hospital.” Greek does not drop the article here.
More from this lesson
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 GreekMaster Greek — from Η γιατρός με περιμένει στο νοσοκομείο 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