Greek Passive Voice: Complete Guide to Conjugation, Usage & Exercises
Introduction to the Greek Passive Voice
The passive voice in Greek is one of the most distinctive features of the language, used far more frequently than in English. While English speakers might say "I got dressed" or "The door opened," Greek uses passive constructions for these everyday actions. Understanding Greek passive voice conjugation is essential for achieving fluency, as it appears in countless common expressions and situations.
In Greek, the passive voice serves several important functions:
- Describing actions done to the subject by someone else
- Expressing reflexive actions (doing something to oneself)
- Indicating reciprocal actions (doing something to each other)
- Many verbs exist only in passive form (deponent verbs)
Formation of the Greek Passive Voice
Greek passive voice conjugation follows distinct patterns that differ from active voice endings. The key to mastering the passive is learning the specific endings for each tense and recognizing the stem changes that occur.
Present Tense Passive Endings
The present passive uses the following endings, attached to the present stem:
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | -ομαι (-ome) | -όμαστε (-omaste) |
| 2nd | -εσαι (-ese) | -εστε / -όσαστε (-este / -osaste) |
| 3rd | -εται (-ete) | -ονται (-onde) |
Example: πλένομαι (I wash myself / I am being washed)
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | πλένομαι | πλενόμαστε |
| 2nd | πλένεσαι | πλένεστε |
| 3rd | πλένεται | πλένονται |
Imperfect (Past Continuous) Passive
The imperfect passive describes ongoing or habitual actions in the past. It uses the augment (ε-) plus passive endings:
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | -όμουν(α) (-omoun(a)) | -όμασταν (-omastan) |
| 2nd | -όσουν(α) (-osoun(a)) | -όσασταν (-osastan) |
| 3rd | -όταν (-otan) | -ονταν (-ontan) |
Example: πλενόμουν (I was washing myself)
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | πλενόμουν(α) | πλενόμασταν |
| 2nd | πλενόσουν(α) | πλενόσασταν |
| 3rd | πλενόταν | πλένονταν |
Simple Past (Aorist) Passive
The aorist passive is formed using a special passive stem (often with -θ- or -τ-) plus past tense endings. This is where Greek passive voice conjugation becomes more complex:
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | -ηκα (-ika) | -ήκαμε (-ikame) |
| 2nd | -ηκες (-ikes) | -ήκατε (-ikate) |
| 3rd | -ηκε (-ike) | -ηκαν (-ikan) |
Example: γράφτηκα (I was written / I signed up)
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | γράφτηκα | γραφτήκαμε |
| 2nd | γράφτηκες | γραφτήκατε |
| 3rd | γράφτηκε | γράφτηκαν |
Simple Future Passive
The simple future passive combines θα with the aorist passive stem and non-past endings:
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | θα + -ώ (-o) | θα + -ούμε (-oume) |
| 2nd | θα + -είς (-is) | θα + -είτε (-ite) |
| 3rd | θα + -εί (-i) | θα + -ούν (-oun) |
Example: θα γραφτώ (I will be written / I will sign up)
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | θα γραφτώ | θα γραφτούμε |
| 2nd | θα γραφτείς | θα γραφτείτε |
| 3rd | θα γραφτεί | θα γραφτούν |
Common Passive Stem Changes
One of the most challenging aspects of Greek passive voice conjugation is the stem change that occurs in the aorist passive. The active stem transforms in predictable patterns based on the final consonant:
| Active Ending | Passive Marker | Active → Aorist Passive | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -πω, -βω, -φω | -φτ- | κόβω → κόφτηκα | I was cut |
| -κω, -γω, -χω | -χτ- | ανοίγω → ανοίχτηκα | I was opened |
| -ζω (from -γ-) | -χτ- | αλλάζω → αλλάχτηκα | I was changed |
| -νω | -θ- | πλένω → πλύθηκα | I was washed |
| -σω, -ζω (from -δ-) | -στ- | σώζω → σώστηκα | I was saved |
| -φω, -πτω | -φτ- / -φθ- | γράφω → γράφτηκα | I was written |
These patterns are consistent across verbs sharing the same stem-final consonant, so learning the groups helps you predict unfamiliar forms.
15 Most Common Passive Verbs
These verbs appear constantly in everyday Greek. Learning their passive forms is essential:
| Active | Present Passive | Aorist Passive | Meaning (Passive) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ντύνω | ντύνομαι | ντύθηκα | I get dressed |
| πλένω | πλένομαι | πλύθηκα | I wash myself |
| ετοιμάζω | ετοιμάζομαι | ετοιμάστηκα | I get ready |
| χτενίζω | χτενίζομαι | χτενίστηκα | I comb my hair |
| ξυρίζω | ξυρίζομαι | ξυρίστηκα | I shave |
| σηκώνω | σηκώνομαι | σηκώθηκα | I get up / stand up |
| ανοίγω | ανοίγομαι | ανοίχτηκα | I am opened |
| κλείνω | κλείνομαι | κλείστηκα | I am closed |
| γράφω | γράφομαι | γράφτηκα | I am written / I sign up |
| βρίσκω | βρίσκομαι | βρέθηκα | I am found / I find myself |
| αλλάζω | αλλάζομαι | αλλάχτηκα | I am changed |
| κόβω | κόβομαι | κόφτηκα | I am cut |
| σώζω | σώζομαι | σώστηκα | I am saved |
| χάνω | χάνομαι | χάθηκα | I get lost / I disappear |
| πληρώνω | πληρώνομαι | πληρώθηκα | I am paid / I get paid |
Deponent Verbs: Passive Form, Active Meaning
Some of the most common Greek verbs exist only in passive form but have active meaning. These deponent verbs must be memorized, as there is no active equivalent:
| Verb | Meaning | Aorist | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| έρχομαι | I come | ήρθα | Έρχομαι σπίτι στις πέντε. (I come home at five.) |
| κοιμάμαι | I sleep | κοιμήθηκα | Κοιμήθηκα νωρίς χθες. (I slept early yesterday.) |
| φοβάμαι | I am afraid | φοβήθηκα | Φοβάμαι τα φίδια. (I'm afraid of snakes.) |
| θυμάμαι | I remember | θυμήθηκα | Θυμάμαι τα παιδικά μου χρόνια. (I remember my childhood.) |
| χρειάζομαι | I need | χρειάστηκα | Χρειάζομαι βοήθεια. (I need help.) |
| σκέφτομαι | I think | σκέφτηκα | Σκέφτομαι να ταξιδέψω. (I'm thinking of traveling.) |
| δέχομαι | I accept | δέχτηκα | Δέχτηκα την πρόσκληση. (I accepted the invitation.) |
| λυπάμαι | I am sorry | λυπήθηκα | Λυπάμαι πολύ. (I'm very sorry.) |
| εύχομαι | I wish | ευχήθηκα | Σου εύχομαι καλή τύχη. (I wish you good luck.) |
| κάθομαι | I sit | κάθισα | Κάθομαι στον καναπέ. (I'm sitting on the couch.) |
Usage of the Greek Passive Voice
Understanding when to use the passive voice is just as important as knowing the conjugation patterns. Greek employs the passive in several contexts that differ from English usage.
1. True Passive (Action by an external agent)
When someone or something else performs the action on the subject. The agent is introduced with από (by):
Το βιβλίο γράφτηκε από έναν διάσημο συγγραφέα.
The book was written by a famous author.
2. Reflexive Meaning (Action on oneself)
Many everyday actions use passive forms in Greek where English would use active voice:
Ντύνομαι γρήγορα το πρωί.
I get dressed quickly in the morning.
Σηκώθηκε στις επτά.
He/She got up at seven.
3. Reciprocal Meaning (Action between people)
When two or more people do something to each other:
Αγαπιούνται πολύ.
They love each other very much.
Γνωριστήκαμε στο πανεπιστήμιο.
We met (each other) at university.
4. Impersonal Passive
Used for general statements without a specific agent, common in signs and rules:
Εδώ μιλιέται ελληνικά.
Greek is spoken here.
Απαγορεύεται το κάπνισμα.
Smoking is prohibited.
Examples of Greek Passive Voice in Context
Here are practical examples showing Greek passive voice conjugation across different tenses and meanings:
Present Passive:
Το δέμα στέλνεται αύριο.
The package is being sent tomorrow.
Reflexive Present:
Χτενίζομαι μπροστά στον καθρέφτη.
I comb my hair in front of the mirror.
Imperfect Passive:
Ετοιμαζόμουν να φύγω όταν χτύπησε το τηλέφωνο.
I was getting ready to leave when the phone rang.
Past Passive:
Η πόρτα κλείστηκε δυνατά.
The door was closed loudly.
Future Passive:
Η συνάντηση θα αναβληθεί για την επόμενη εβδομάδα.
The meeting will be postponed until next week.
Deponent Verb:
Δεν θυμάμαι το όνομά του.
I don't remember his name.
Common Mistakes with Greek Passive Voice
Learners often struggle with certain aspects of Greek passive voice conjugation. Here are the most frequent errors to avoid:
1. Using Active Voice for Reflexive Actions
Incorrect: *Εγώ ντύνω (when meaning "I dress myself")
Correct: Ντύνομαι
Greek requires the passive form for reflexive actions, unlike English.
2. Confusing Passive Stem Changes
The aorist passive often involves stem changes that must be memorized:
- γράφω → γράφτηκα (not *γραφήκα)
- πλένω → πλύθηκα (not *πλενήκα)
- ανοίγω → ανοίχτηκα (not *ανοιγήκα)
3. Forgetting Accent Shifts
The accent often moves in passive conjugation. Pay attention to stress placement:
Incorrect: *πλένομαστε
Correct: πλενόμαστε
4. Treating Deponent Verbs as Active
Verbs like έρχομαι, κοιμάμαι, and φοβάμαι look passive but aren't—they have no active counterpart:
Incorrect: *Εγώ έρχω
Correct: Έρχομαι
5. Overusing από for the Agent
Not every passive sentence needs an agent. In reflexive and reciprocal uses, adding από would be incorrect:
Incorrect: *Ντύνομαι από εμένα
Correct: Ντύνομαι
6. Wrong Ending Combinations
Mixing active and passive endings is a common error:
Incorrect: *πλένομε (mixing active -ομε with passive intent)
Correct: πλενόμαστε (proper passive 1st person plural)
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Convert Active to Passive
Rewrite each sentence in the passive voice:
- Ο δάσκαλος διορθώνει τα γραπτά. (The teacher corrects the papers.)
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Τα γραπτά διορθώνονται από τον δάσκαλο. (The papers are corrected by the teacher.) - Η μητέρα ντύνει το παιδί. (The mother dresses the child.)
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Το παιδί ντύνεται από τη μητέρα. (The child is dressed by the mother.) - Ο σεφ ετοίμασε το δείπνο. (The chef prepared dinner.)
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Το δείπνο ετοιμάστηκε από τον σεφ. (Dinner was prepared by the chef.) - Θα στείλουν το πακέτο αύριο. (They will send the package tomorrow.)
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Το πακέτο θα σταλεί αύριο. (The package will be sent tomorrow.)
Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Passive Form
Select the correct form of the verb in parentheses:
- Εμείς ___ κάθε μέρα στις 7. (σηκώνομαι - present)
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σηκωνόμαστε — We get up every day at 7. (1st person plural present passive) - Αυτοί ___ στη Θεσσαλονίκη πέρυσι. (γνωρίζομαι - aorist)
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γνωρίστηκαν — They met each other in Thessaloniki last year. (3rd person plural aorist passive) - Εσύ ___ αργά χθες βράδυ. (κοιμάμαι - aorist)
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κοιμήθηκες — You went to sleep late last night. (2nd person singular aorist passive - deponent verb) - Η πόρτα θα ___ στις 9. (κλείνω - future passive)
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κλειστεί — The door will be closed at 9. (3rd person singular future passive)
Exercise 3: Identify the Passive Type
Is each sentence a true passive, reflexive, reciprocal, or deponent verb?
- Ντύνομαι γρήγορα.
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Reflexive — I get dressed quickly. (doing the action to myself) - Το σπίτι χτίστηκε το 1990.
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True passive — The house was built in 1990. (action done by an external agent) - Φιλήθηκαν στο αεροδρόμιο.
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Reciprocal — They kissed (each other) at the airport. - Φοβάμαι το σκοτάδι.
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Deponent — I'm afraid of the dark. (φοβάμαι has no active form) - Κόφτηκα με το μαχαίρι.
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Reflexive — I cut myself with the knife. (accidental action on myself)
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Greek passive voice different from English?
Greek uses the passive voice much more broadly than English. In English, "I get dressed" and "I wash my hands" are active constructions, but in Greek they require passive forms: ντύνομαι, πλένομαι. Greek also has many deponent verbs (passive form, active meaning) like έρχομαι (I come) and κοιμάμαι (I sleep) that have no English equivalent. The passive is an everyday necessity in Greek, not just a stylistic choice.
What are deponent verbs and how do I recognize them?
Deponent verbs use passive endings but carry active meaning. You'll recognize them because they have no active counterpart — you cannot say *έρχω for "I come," only έρχομαι. Common deponent verbs include κάθομαι (I sit), σκέφτομαι (I think), δέχομαι (I accept), and λυπάμαι (I'm sorry). The best approach is to memorize these as you encounter them, as there's no reliable rule to predict which verbs are deponent.
How do I form the aorist passive stem?
The aorist passive stem depends on the final consonant of the active verb stem. Labials (-πω, -βω, -φω) become -φτ-, velars (-κω, -γω, -χω) become -χτ-, dentals and sibilants (-νω, -σω, -ζω) become -θ- or -στ-. For example: γράφω → γράφτηκα, ανοίγω → ανοίχτηκα, πλένω → πλύθηκα. Some verbs have irregular aorist passive stems that must be memorized, such as βλέπω → ειδώθηκα.
When should I use από with the passive voice?
Use από (by) only in true passive constructions where you want to express who performed the action: Το κέικ φτιάχτηκε από τη γιαγιά (The cake was made by grandma). Do not use από with reflexive uses (ντύνομαι), reciprocal uses (αγαπιούνται), deponent verbs (έρχομαι), or impersonal passives (μιλιέται ελληνικά). In practice, most passive sentences in Greek omit the agent entirely.