LingoflyThe colleague they listen to
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 colleague is tall, slim and grey-haired. He speaks little, but when he speaks, everyone listens. He is patient with…
Text
- Ο συνάδελφός μου είναι ψηλός, λεπτός και ασπρομάλλης. Δεν μιλάει πολύ, αλλά όταν μιλάει τον ακούνε όλοι. Είναι υπομονετικός με τους καινούργιους και δεν φωνάζει ποτέ. Οι άλλοι τον σέβονται, και εγώ μαζί τους.o sinádelfós mu íne psilós, leptós ke aspromális. den milái polí, alá ótan milái ton akúne óli. íne ipomonetikós me tus kenúryus ke den fonázi poté. i áli ton sévonde, ke egó mazí tusMy colleague is tall, slim and grey-haired. He speaks little, but when he speaks, everyone listens. He is patient with newcomers and never shouts. The others respect him, and I together with them.
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 does the colleague look like?
- How does he behave with newcomers?
- Why do they listen to him?
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.