LingoflyThe second past: έβρεχε against έβρεξε
For what went on, repeated, or sat in the background, Greek has a second past. The difference is the one between "it was raining" and "the rain came and went": έβρεχε (évrekhe) against έβρεξε (évrekse). For example: “Χθες έβρεχε όλη μέρα” (khthes évrekhe óli méra) — Yesterday it rained all day. A rule from the Greek course: worked out on examples, not memorized as a wording.
How it works
For what went on, repeated, or sat in the background, Greek has a second past. The difference is the one between "it was raining" and "the rain came and went": έβρεχε (évrekhe) against έβρεξε (évrekse).
It is built on the present stem. The endings are -α (-a), -ες, -ε, -αμε, -ατε, -αν (-an), and the stress moves back. When there are too few syllables, a short ε- grows in front: γράφω (gráfo) → έγραφα.
Verbs in -άω stretch the stem instead: μιλάω (miláo) → μιλούσα, αγαπάω → αγαπούσα. That is a second regular pattern, not an exception.
Two words to learn apart. είμαι (íme) has ήμουν (ímun) here and nothing at all in one piece. κάνω (káno) has έκανα (ékana) for both jobs.
Table
| present | it went on | in one piece |
|---|---|---|
| γράφω (gráfo) | έγραφα — I was writing | έγραψα (égrapsa) — I wrote |
| δουλεύω (dulévo) | δούλευα — I was working | δούλεψα — I worked (and finished) |
| βλέπω (vlépo) | έβλεπα (évlepa) — I was watching | είδα (ída) — I saw |
| βρέχει (vrékhi) | έβρεχε (évrekhe) — it was raining | έβρεξε (évrekse) — it rained |
| είμαι (íme) | ήμουν (ímun) — I was | — |
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
Greek aorist vs imperfect?
For what went on, repeated, or sat in the background, Greek has a second past. The difference is the one between "it was raining" and "the rain came and went": έβρεχε (évrekhe) against έβρεξε (évrekse).
Έβρεχε (évrekhe) vs έβρεξε (évrekse)?
For what went on, repeated, or sat in the background, Greek has a second past. The difference is the one between "it was raining" and "the rain came and went": έβρεχε (évrekhe) against έβρεξε (évrekse).
Greek imperfect or aorist: which one?
For what went on, repeated, or sat in the background, Greek has a second past. The difference is the one between "it was raining" and "the rain came and went": έβρεχε (évrekhe) against έβρεξε (évrekse).
How to say it was raining and it rained in Greek?
For what went on, repeated, or sat in the background, Greek has a second past. The difference is the one between "it was raining" and "the rain came and went": έβρεχε (évrekhe) against έβρεξε (évrekse).
Why είμαι (íme) has no aorist?
Two words to learn apart. είμαι (íme) has ήμουν (ímun) here and nothing at all in one piece. κάνω (káno) has έκανα (ékana) for both jobs.
What does it look like in a Greek example sentence?
“Χθες έβρεχε όλη μέρα” (khthes évrekhe óli méra) — Yesterday it rained all day. A rule is easier to test on sentences like this than to memorize as a wording: what surfaces in conversation is the sentence.