LingoflyThe future: one word, θα
The future is the easiest corner of Greek. Put θα (tha) in front of the verb and you are done: θα (tha) πάω (páo) — I'll go, θα (tha) δούμε (dúme) — we'll see. For example: “Αύριο (ávrio) θα (tha) πάω (páo) στην (stin) αγορά” (agorá) — Tomorrow I'll go to the market. A rule from the Greek course: worked out on examples, not memorized as a wording.
How it works
The future is the easiest corner of Greek. Put θα (tha) in front of the verb and you are done: θα (tha) πάω (páo) (tha páo) — I'll go, θα (tha) δούμε (dúme) (tha dúme) — we'll see.
The word grew out of θέλω (thélo) να (na) (thélo na) — "I want that". English "will" walked the same road, from an old verb for wanting.
The shape after θα (tha) is picked by meaning. θα (tha) πίνω (píno) (tha píno) — I'll be drinking, day after day. θα (tha) πιω (tha pio) — I'll drink one glass, down to the end. English draws the same line with "will be drinking" against "will drink".
Table
| the verb | once | again and again | in English |
|---|---|---|---|
| πηγαίνω (piyéno) | θα (tha) πάω (páo) | θα (tha) πηγαίνω (piyéno) | I'll go — I'll be going |
| πίνω (píno) | θα (tha) πιω | θα (tha) πίνω (píno) | I'll drink (a cup) — I'll be drinking |
| τρώω (tróo) | θα (tha) φάω | θα (tha) τρώω (tróo) | I'll eat — I'll be eating |
| βλέπω (vlépo) | θα (tha) δω (do) | θα (tha) βλέπω (vlépo) | I'll see it — I'll be watching |
| γράφω (gráfo) | θα (tha) γράψω | θα (tha) γράφω (gráfo) | I'll write it — I'll be writing |
By example
How the rule settles in your head
A rule is not memorized from an explanation. It is memorized from an attempt to use it and a mistake — that is why the app delivers it mixed in with words, not as a separate lesson: it resurfaces exactly where you forgot it.
Frequently asked
The future: how does it work in Greek?
The future is the easiest corner of Greek. Put θα (tha) in front of the verb and you are done: θα (tha) πάω (páo) — I'll go, θα (tha) δούμε (dúme) — we'll see.
What does it look like in a Greek example sentence?
“Αύριο (ávrio) θα (tha) πάω (páo) στην (stin) αγορά” (agorá) (ávrio tha páo stin agorá) — Tomorrow I'll go to the market. A rule is easier to test on sentences like this than to memorize as a wording: what surfaces in conversation is the sentence.