Difference between revisions of "Koine Greek: Definite Article"
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The definite article is used much more frequently than in English. It is generally used before names of people and places, and also prior to abstract nouns (abstract nouns are those that describe a concept such as love - [[Αγαπη]]) | The definite article is used much more frequently than in English. It is generally used before names of people and places, and also prior to abstract nouns (abstract nouns are those that describe a concept such as love - [[Αγαπη]]) | ||
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Revision as of 05:25, 25 May 2008
Contents
Indefinite article
There is no indefinite article in Greek, that is, there is no word for "a". For example
- αδελφος (adelphos) may mean either "brother" or "a brother"
Definite article
The definite article is the word "the". In Koine Greek, the definite article various depending upon the noun's case, gender and number. For example:
- ῾ο αδελφος (ho adelphos) = "the brother" (a masculine, singular, nominative noun)
- ῾οι αδελφοι (hoi adelphoi) = "the brothers" (a masculine, plural, nominative noun)
- ῾η γη (he ge) = "the land" (a feminine, singular, nominative noun)
- το πλοιον (to ploion) = "the boat" (a neuter, singular, nominative noun)
Definite article: Singular form
The following table shows the definite article in its various singular forms depending on case and gender.
Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter |
---|---|---|---|
Nom | `ο | `η | το |
Gen | του | τη | του |
Dat | τω | τη | τω |
Acc | τον | την | το |
Definite article: Plural form
Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter |
---|---|---|---|
Nom | `οι | `αι | τα |
Gen | τωn | τωn | τωn |
Dat | τοις | ταις | τοις |
Acc | τους | τας | τα |
Rules regarding usage
The definite article is used much more frequently than in English. It is generally used before names of people and places, and also prior to abstract nouns (abstract nouns are those that describe a concept such as love - Αγαπη)