Πιστεύεται ότι η καθημερινή επανάληψη είναι ο πιο αποτελεσματικός τρόπος για πρόοδο.

It is believed that daily revision is the most effective way for progress.

Breakdown of Πιστεύεται ότι η καθημερινή επανάληψη είναι ο πιο αποτελεσματικός τρόπος για πρόοδο.

• είμαι: to be
• πιο: more
• για: for
• ότι: that

Questions & Answers about Πιστεύεται ότι η καθημερινή επανάληψη είναι ο πιο αποτελεσματικός τρόπος για πρόοδο.

What exactly does Πιστεύεται mean here, and who is the one that “believes”?

Πιστεύεται is the 3rd person singular, present tense, passive voice of πιστεύω (to believe).

Literally, it means “it is believed”.

• There is no specific person mentioned (like “they” or “people”).
• The “subject” of πιστεύεται is the whole ότι-clause that follows:
  • Πιστεύεται ότι η καθημερινή επανάληψη…
    = It is believed that daily repetition…

This is called an impersonal passive construction. In English we often translate it either as:

• It is believed that daily repetition is…, or
• People believe that daily repetition is… (more natural English, but slightly less formal/impersonal).

Why does Greek use the passive Πιστεύεται instead of an active form like “People believe that…”?

Greek often uses the impersonal passive to express general opinions or commonly held beliefs in a neutral, objective way.

Compare:

• Πιστεύεται ότι η καθημερινή επανάληψη είναι…
  = It is believed that daily repetition is…
  (impersonal, formal, objective tone)

• Πολλοί πιστεύουν ότι η καθημερινή επανάληψη είναι…
  = Many people believe that daily repetition is…
  (active, explicitly mentions “many people”)

Both are correct, but:

• The form () sounds more formal, bookish, or academic.