If during your next Corfu
holiday you enter the nearest bar and screech at the top of your voice: "Spiros,
get me an Amstel" - you will look like a complete tourist! So to help
prevent you from making the above mistake we are here to help with a short
grammar lesson!
So, you
have met a Greek waiter who has told you that his name is 'Spiro' - yet you
have overheard others who have
called him something else. Lets tell you why:
Firstly, during your meal you
could correctly call him over saying 'Spiro, could we have another bottle of
Boutari please!'
But - if you are talking about
Spiro (not to him) then you need to add an 's' to the end of his name. For
example 'Shall we ask Spiros to bring over another bottle of Boutari?'
This is true of all male
Greek names: When you are talking to them - no 's' on the end. When you
are talking about them add an 's'. With this in mind, if you were speaking
to the Taverna owner, you would correctly say: "Costa, we think your waiter
Spiros is great fun". Of course you could ask your waiter: "Spiro, do you
like your boss Costas?"
Simple really, but please do
not go sending me emails asking why girls names stay the same!
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Nicknames
Most Greek names are very long and
in everyday use are shortened:
|
Full name |
Shortened
to |
|
Spiridonos |
Spiros |
|
Alexandros |
Alex |
|
Leonathis |
Leo |
|
Aphrodite |
Ditti |
|
Costandinos |
Costas |
Note: Spiros is often
shortened further to 'pp' (pronounced 'pea pea'). Try to remember this one
as using this expression with local Greeks will usually gain a smile.
Also for some strange reason,
people called Dimitris will often say their name is 'Jimmy'. So also 'Yanni'
who will say their name is John!
Confused? I hope not that was
the easy part!
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