Άντε, μάντεψε τη λέξη!

A natural rough pronunciation is:

• Άντε → AN-de
• μάντεψε → MAN-dep-se
• τη λέξη → ti LEK-see

A few useful sound notes:

• ντ often sounds like d in Modern Greek.
• ψ sounds like ps.
• ξ in λέξη sounds like ks.

So the whole sentence is roughly:

AN-de, MAN-dep-se ti LEK-see!

Here Άντε is a very common conversational word meaning something like:

• Come on!
• Go on!
• Alright, then!

In this sentence, it adds energy and encouragement, so the feeling is like:

• Come on, guess the word!

It is casual and spoken-sounding. Depending on tone of voice, Άντε can sound:

• encouraging
• impatient
• playful
• pushy

So it is not a literal part of the main command so much as a natural conversational opener.

μάντεψε is the singular informal imperative of the verb μαντεύω (to guess).

So it is used when speaking to:

• one person
• in an informal way

It means guess!

More specifically, it is the aorist imperative, which usually gives the sense of a single, complete action:

• μάντεψε = make a guess / guess it

This is very normal in Greek for short commands.

Greek imperatives often show aspect, not just tense.

Here:

• μάντεψε is aorist imperative → guess once / make a guess
• a present imperative would suggest something more like keep guessing / guess repeatedly

In a sentence like Guess the word!, Greek normally prefers the aorist imperative because the speaker is asking for one completed action: give your guess.

So μάντεψε τη λέξη! sounds very natural.

You would use the plural/formal imperative:

• Άντε, μαντέψτε τη λέξη!

μαντέψτε can mean:

• guess! when speaking to several people
• guess! when speaking formally to one person

So:

• informal singular: μάντεψε
• plural/formal: μαντέψτε

The full feminine accusative singular article is την, but in Modern Greek the final -ν is often dropped before many consonants.

So:

• τη λέξη is completely normal
• την λέξη is also possible, but less usual here

The short version τη is especially common before a word like λέξη, which begins with λ.

A useful way to think of it is:

• την is the underlying form
• τη is the common shortened form before many consonants

Because Greek usually needs an article here.

• μάντεψε τη λέξη = guess the word
• μάντεψε μια λέξη = guess a word

But μάντεψε λέξη sounds incomplete or unnatural in standard Greek.

Greek uses the definite article very naturally in many places where English learners may expect no article. In a game or challenge context, τη λέξη is exactly what you would expect.

The dictionary form is:

• η λέξη = the word

In the sentence, it appears after the verb as the direct object, so it is in the accusative singular:

• nominative: η λέξη
• accusative: τη λέξη

Notice that the noun itself stays λέξη in both forms; the article changes:

• η → nominative
• τη(ν) → accusative

That is very common with many feminine nouns in -η.

Yes, it makes sense because Άντε is functioning like an interjection or discourse marker, separate from the main command.

So the punctuation helps show the structure:

• Άντε, = Come on,
• μάντεψε τη λέξη! = guess the word!

Without the comma, people would still understand it, especially in informal writing, but the comma is the more standard written punctuation.

It is definitely casual and conversational.

By itself, it is not rude. It usually sounds:

• playful
• lively
• encouraging

But tone matters a lot. If someone says Άντε! sharply, it can sound impatient or annoyed. In a game, though, Άντε, μάντεψε τη λέξη! would usually sound friendly and natural.

So the sentence is best understood as an informal spoken-style prompt, not as something formal or stiff.