Η γνώμη σου ακούγεται σημαντική.

Your opinion sounds important.

Breakdown of Η γνώμη σου ακούγεται σημαντική.

• σου: your
• σημαντικός: important
• η γνώμη: the opinion
• ακούγομαι: to be heard

Questions & Answers about Η γνώμη σου ακούγεται σημαντική.

What does each word in Η γνώμη σου ακούγεται σημαντική correspond to in English?

• Η = the
• γνώμη = opinion
• σου = your
• ακούγεται = is heard / sounds
• σημαντική = important

So the structure is literally: The opinion your sounds important, which in natural English becomes: Your opinion sounds important.

Why does the sentence use Η before γνώμη? English does not say The your opinion sounds important.

In Greek, the definite article (ο, η, το) is used much more often than in English.

Η γνώμη σου is the normal way to say your opinion. Leaving out Η (saying just Γνώμη σου) would sound incomplete or stylistically marked in most contexts.

So even when English drops the, Greek usually keeps η with nouns that are specific and known, including with possessives like μου, σου, του.

Why is σου placed after γνώμη and not before it?

The weak possessive pronouns (μου, σου, του, της, μας, σας, τους) almost always come after the noun in Greek:

• το βιβλίο μου = my book
• η φίλη σου = your friend
• η γνώμη σου = your opinion

If you want the possessive before the noun, you normally need the strong form with δικός/δική/δικό:

• η δική σου γνώμη = your own opinion (emphatic)

What exactly is ακούγεται grammatically?

ακούγεται is:

• present tense
• 3rd person singular
• middle/passive voice
• indicative mood

It comes from the verb ακούω (to hear). Literally, ακούγεται means it is heard, but in many contexts it means it sounds / it comes across as. Here, it is used like English sounds in Your opinion sounds important.

Why is there no separate word for is in ακούγεται σημαντική?

The verb ακούγεται already carries the meaning of is plus heard/sounding. You do not say είναι ακούγεται; that would be incorrect.

So ακούγεται σημαντική has the idea is heard as important / sounds important built into the single verb ακούγεται. Greek often expresses what English does with is + verb using just one conjugated verb in the middle/passive.

What is the difference between ακούγεται σημαντική and είναι σημαντική?

• Η γνώμη σου ακούγεται σημαντική.
  Emphasis: how the opinion seems / sounds / comes across to someone. There is a slight sense of impression or appearance.

• Η γνώμη σου είναι σημαντική.
  Emphasis: stating it as a fact that your opinion is important, more objective and direct.

So ακούγεται σημαντική is softer and more about perception; είναι σημαντική is more categorical.

Why does σημαντική end in -η instead of -ος or -ο?

σημαντική is an adjective meaning important that agrees with the noun γνώμη:

• γνώμη is feminine, singular, nominative.
• Therefore the adjective must also be feminine, singular, nominative: σημαντική.

If the noun were masculine or neuter, the adjective would change:

• σημαντικός άνθρωπος = an important man (masculine)
• σημαντικό θέμα = an important topic (neuter)

Agreement of gender, number, and case between nouns and adjectives is obligatory in Greek.

Can I change the word order, for example Σημαντική ακούγεται η γνώμη σου?

Yes, Greek word order is flexible. These are all grammatical, with slightly different emphasis:

• Η γνώμη σου ακούγεται σημαντική.
  Neutral, most common order.

• Σημαντική ακούγεται η γνώμη σου.
  Puts emphasis on σημαντική (Important is how your opinion sounds).

• Η γνώμη σου σημαντική ακούγεται.
  Possible, but less natural; it can sound a bit stylistic or poetic.

The default, unmarked choice in everyday speech would be Η γνώμη σου ακούγεται σημαντική.

Can I leave out Η and say Γνώμη σου ακούγεται σημαντική?

In standard modern Greek, this sounds odd or incomplete in normal conversation.

You might see article omission in titles, headlines, or poetry, but in regular speech and writing you should use:

• Η γνώμη σου ακούγεται σημαντική.

How would I say this formally or politely to someone I address as you in a formal way?

For formal or polite address, you use σας instead of σου:

• Η γνώμη σας ακούγεται σημαντική.

This is what you would say to a stranger, a teacher, a client, or an older person you address politely.

Does ακούγεται always mean sounds in a metaphorical sense, or can it be literal too?

ακούγεται can be both literal and figurative.

Literal (about actual sound):

• Η μουσική ακούγεται δυνατά.
  The music is heard loudly / The music sounds loud.

Figurative (about impression):

• Η ιδέα σου ακούγεται ενδιαφέρουσα.
  Your idea sounds interesting.

In Η γνώμη σου ακούγεται σημαντική, it is clearly figurative: it is about the impression your opinion gives.

Is there any difference between γνώμη and άποψη if I say Η άποψή σου ακούγεται σημαντική?

Both γνώμη and άποψη can mean opinion, and in many contexts they are interchangeable:

• Η γνώμη σου ακούγεται σημαντική.
• Η άποψή σου ακούγεται σημαντική.

Nuances (not strict rules):

• γνώμη often feels a bit more everyday and general: what you think.
• άποψη can feel slightly more formal or intellectual: your standpoint / viewpoint.

In this sentence, both are natural and correct.