 | At end of a word is it ος or ου? |
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When I am speaking Greek I tend to say Παφου instead of Παφος for example when saying 'I used to live in Pafos' Also in some names ending in ο What am I doing wrong please? THanks Iakovos |
| Re: At end of a word is it ος or ου? |
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I don't understand your question. If you are pronouncing words ending in -ος or -ο as -ου, then you are either mispronouncing the word(s) or you are misunderstanding when to use a particular inflectional form. Words ending in -ος are mostly masculine nominative singulars, along with a relatively few feminines like η Πάφος (L46) and neuters like το μέρος (L15). Words ending in -ο are neuter nominative/accusative singulars, along with the accusative singular of masculine & feminine nouns ending -ος. Because of word inflection (changes in endings to indicate grammatical function), such masculine and feminine words DO end in -ου in the genitive singular (the neuter genitive ends in -ους). For example: ο φίλος (L16), τον φίλο, του φίλου ο Ιάκωβος, τον Ιάκωβο, του Ιακώβου η Πάφος, την Πάφο, της Πάφου το μέρος, του μέρους So the Greek version of "Paphos is a city on Cyprus" is η Πάφος [nominative] είναι πόλη στην Κύπρο, while "I used to live in Paphos" is Έμενα στην Πάφο [accusative], and a guidebook titled "A Paphos Guide" is Οδηγός της Πάφου [genitive]. Hope this helps, Greg Brush |
