LingoflyBefore the feast
A short text in Greek 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 grandmother fasts for forty days before the great feast. Every morning she goes to church and lights a candle. She…
Text
- Η γιαγιά μου νηστεύει σαράντα μέρες πριν από τη μεγάλη γιορτή. Πηγαίνει κάθε πρωί στην εκκλησία και ανάβει ένα κερί. Λέει ότι η προσευχή είναι πιο εύκολη όταν το σπίτι είναι ήσυχο. Τη νύχτα χτυπάει η καμπάνα και όλοι βγαίνουν στον δρόμο με τα κεριά.i yayiá mu nistévi saránda méres prin apó ti megáli yortí. piyéni káthe proí stin eklisía ke anávi éna kerí. léi óti i prosefkhí íne pio éfkoli ótan to spíti íne ísikho. ti níkhta khtipái i kambána ke óli vyénun ston drómo me ta keriáMy grandmother fasts for forty days before the great feast. Every morning she goes to church and lights a candle. She says that praying is easier when the house is quiet. At night the bell rings, and everyone comes out into the street with candles.
Comprehension questions
The questions are asked in Russian on purpose: we test your understanding of the text, not your ability to read the question.
- For how many days does the grandmother fast?
- What does she do in church every morning?
- What happens at night?
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.