Έχω νύστα μετά το φαγητό, γι’ αυτό πίνω καφέ.

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Breakdown of Έχω νύστα μετά το φαγητό, γι’ αυτό πίνω καφέ.

• πίνω: to drink
• το φαγητό: the food
• μετά: after

Questions & Answers about Έχω νύστα μετά το φαγητό, γι’ αυτό πίνω καφέ.

Why does Greek say έχω νύστα instead of something like είμαι νυσταγμένος?

Because έχω νύστα is the most natural everyday way to say I’m sleepy / I feel sleepy.

Literally, it is I have sleepiness:

• έχω = I have
• νύστα = sleepiness, drowsiness

Greek often uses έχω + noun where English uses be + adjective.

You can say είμαι νυσταγμένος / νυσταγμένη, but it sounds more descriptive and less common in casual speech. In everyday conversation, έχω νύστα is the phrase learners should remember.

What exactly is νύστα?

Νύστα is a noun meaning sleepiness or drowsiness.

So:

• Έχω νύστα. = I’m sleepy.
• Μου φέρνει νύστα. = It makes me sleepy.

It is not an adjective. That is why Greek uses έχω with it.

Why is it το φαγητό and not just φαγητό?

Both are possible, but μετά το φαγητό is very natural and means after the meal / after eating / after food.

• φαγητό = food, meal
• το φαγητό = the food / the meal

In Greek, the definite article is used more often than in English. So even where English might say after eating or after food, Greek often prefers μετά το φαγητό.