He neither came nor called
A short in Greek text at level A2. The translation sits next to it: reading with a dictionary is still too early at this level, and without support it will not happen at all. My friend promised to come, and he neither came nor called. I got angry, because it wasn't the first time. Then I…
Text
- Ο φίλος μου υποσχέθηκε να έρθει και δεν ήρθε ούτε τηλεφώνησε. Θύμωσα, γιατί δεν ήταν η πρώτη φορά. Μετά θυμήθηκα ότι πέρσι, όταν χρειάστηκα βοήθεια, ήταν ο πρώτος που ήρθε. Του μίλησα ευθέως και χωρίς παρεξήγηση, και τα βρήκαμε.o fílos mu iposkhéthike na érthi ke den írthe úte tilefónise. thímosa, yatí den ítan i próti forá. metá thimíthika óti pérsi, ótan khriástika voíthia, ítan o prótos pu írthe. tu mílisa efthéos ke khorís pareksíyisi, ke ta vríkameMy friend promised to come, and he neither came nor called. I got angry, because it wasn't the first time. Then I remembered that last year, when I needed help, he was the first to come. I talked to him straight and without resentment, and we made up.
Comprehension questions
The questions are asked in Russian on purpose: we test your understanding of the text, not your ability to read the question.
- Why did the narrator get angry?
- What did he remember then?
- What did he do?
Frequently asked
What level do you need to read this text in Greek?
A2. That means: you know the letters and have a stock of everyday words — about two or three hundred.
How to read a text in an unfamiliar language usefully?
First all the way through without peeking at the translation — just to catch the familiar words. Then with the translation. Then all the way through again: the second pass brings noticeably more, and that feeling matters more than any rule.