Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Greek grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Η απάντηση είναι απλή.
What is the very first Η? Is it the letter H?
It’s the feminine definite article η (meaning “the”), capitalized at the start of the sentence. The Greek letter Η/η (eta) is pronounced like the English long ee sound, not like an English H. So Η here is pronounced [i].
Why is the article feminine here?
Because απάντηση (answer) is a feminine noun. Many nouns ending in -ση are feminine in Greek, so they take the article η in the nominative singular.
How do you pronounce the whole sentence?
- IPA: [i aˈpandisi ˈine aˈpli]
- Syllable stress: a-PAN-dee-see | EE-neh | a-PLEE
- Smooth reading: ee a-PAN-dee-see EE-neh a-PLEE
Why does απλή end in -ή?
Adjectives agree with the noun in gender, number, and case. The base adjective is:
- Masculine: απλός
- Feminine: απλή
- Neuter: απλό Here it’s feminine singular nominative to match η απάντηση.
What form of the verb is είναι?
It’s the 3rd person singular of είμαι (to be), and it’s also used for 3rd person plural.
- εγώ είμαι (I am)
- εσύ είσαι (you are)
- αυτός/αυτή/αυτό είναι (he/she/it is)
- εμείς είμαστε
- εσείς είστε/είσαστε
- αυτοί/αυτές/αυτά είναι (they are)
Can I omit είναι?
Not in normal sentences; you usually keep είναι. In headlines or very elliptical style you might see something like Απλή η απάντηση (predicate first for emphasis), but everyday speech keeps the verb.
Is the definite article necessary? Could I say Απάντηση είναι απλή?
For the meaning “the answer is simple,” you normally include the article: Η απάντηση είναι απλή. Without an article it sounds odd or overly generic. If you want “an answer is simple,” use the indefinite: Μια απάντηση είναι απλή. For “It is a simple answer,” say Είναι μια απλή απάντηση.
Can I change the word order?
Yes, Greek allows some flexibility for emphasis:
- Neutral: Η απάντηση είναι απλή.
- Emphasis on the adjective: Απλή είναι η απάντηση. Both are correct; the first is the default.
What would the plural be?
- Οι απαντήσεις είναι απλές. (The answers are simple.) Note that:
- οι = feminine nominative plural article
- απαντήσεις = plural noun
- απλές = feminine nominative plural adjective
- είναι stays the same for plural.
Can I use εύκολη instead of απλή?
They’re close but not identical:
- απλή = simple (not complicated)
- εύκολη = easy (not difficult) So Η απάντηση είναι απλή stresses lack of complexity; Η απάντηση είναι εύκολη suggests it’s easy to find/understand.
What’s the difference between απλή and απλά?
- απλή = feminine adjective (simple).
- απλά = adverb (simply) or neuter plural adjective (simple, plural). Examples:
- Η απάντηση είναι απλή. (adjective)
- Η απάντηση είναι απλά ναι. = The answer is simply yes. (adverb)
- Τα πράγματα είναι απλά. = The things are simple. (neuter plural adjective)
Why do η and ει sound the same, and what about αι in είναι?
Modern Greek has several spellings for the ee sound: ι, η, υ, ει, οι, υι (all pronounced [i]). In είναι, ει is [i], while the ending -αι is pronounced [e]. So είναι is [ˈine].
Where do the accent marks go, and why?
Modern Greek uses one stress mark (τόνος) on polysyllabic words:
- απάντηση (stress on πάν)
- είναι (stress on εί)
- απλή (stress on λή) The article η never carries an accent.
What punctuation would a Greek question use, and why is there a dot here?
Greek uses the semicolon (;) as the question mark. A period (.) ends statements. Our sentence is a statement, so it correctly ends with a period.
How do the forms change in other cases?
Singular (feminine):
- Nominative (subject): η απλή απάντηση
- Genitive (of): της απλής απάντησης
- Accusative (object): την απλή απάντηση Examples:
- Βλέπω την απλή απάντηση. (I see the simple answer.)
- Ο τίτλος της απλής απάντησης… (The title of the simple answer…)