My first Greek feast
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. At my first Greek celebration I didn't know what to bring. I asked, and they said 'nothing', but I came with a bunch of…
Text
- Στην πρώτη μου ελληνική γιορτή δεν ήξερα τι να φέρω. Ρώτησα και μου είπαν «τίποτα», αλλά ήρθα με ένα μπουκέτο. Στην πόρτα δεν ήξερα αν πρέπει να βγάλω τα παπούτσια. Κανείς δεν με διόρθωσε, και κατάλαβα ότι η προσοχή μετράει περισσότερο από τον κανόνα.stin próti mu elinikí yortí den íksera ti na féro. rótisa ke mu ípan «típota», alá írtha me éna bukéto. stin pórta den íksera an prépi na vgálo ta papútsia. kanís den me diórthose, ke katálava óti i prosokhí metrái perisótero apó ton kanónaAt my first Greek celebration I didn't know what to bring. I asked, and they said 'nothing', but I came with a bunch of flowers. At the door I didn't know whether to take off my shoes. Nobody corrected me, and I understood that attention means more than the rule.
Comprehension questions
The questions are asked in Russian on purpose: we test your understanding of the text, not your ability to read the question.
- What did the narrator bring?
- What embarrassed him at the door?
- What conclusion did he draw?
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.