Greek to English examples

Θέλω να μάθω αγγλικά γρήγορα.

→ I want to learn English quickly.

Greek uses the subjunctive 'να' before verbs — similar to English 'to'. The SVO structure is comparable and the sentence transfers relatively naturally.

Μαθαίνω αγγλικά εδώ και τρία χρόνια.

→ I have been learning English for three years.

Greek uses the present tense with 'εδώ και' for ongoing duration. English uses the present perfect continuous — Greek speakers often use the simple present instead.

Μπορείτε να μιλάτε πιο αργά, παρακαλώ;

→ Could you speak more slowly, please?

Greek 'μπορείτε' (you can/are able) corresponds to English 'could you'. The use of 'παρακαλώ' (please) is similar to English 'please' — a straightforward politeness marker.

Αν είχα μελετήσει περισσότερο, θα είχα περάσει τις εξετάσεις.

→ If I had studied more, I would have passed the exam.

Greek past perfect counterfactual maps directly to the English third conditional. Greek 'θα είχα' corresponds exactly to English 'would have'.

Τα αγγλικά είναι μια πολύ σημαντική γλώσσα.

→ English is a very important language.

Greek uses the plural form 'αγγλικά' for the language name. English uses the singular 'English'. The article 'a' before 'language' is required in English — Greek has a different article system.