μπορώ

Greek

Greek phrasebook

This entry is part of the phrasebook project, which presents criteria for inclusion based on utility, simplicity and commonness. For other Greek entries on this topic, see Basic.

Etymology

Ultimately from Ancient Greek εὐπορέω (euporéō, “to thrive, prosper, find means”).

Verb

μπορώ • (boró) (past μπόρεσα)

1. can, be able

   Μπορείς αύριο; ― Boreís ávrio? ― Can you make it tomorrow?

   Μπορούν να μιλήσουν Ελληνικά; ― Boroún na milísoun Elliniká? ― Can they speak Greek?

   Μπορείς να πετύχεις τα πάντα. ― Boreís na petýcheis ta pánta. ― You can accomplish everything.

2. may

   Μπορώ; Μπορώ! ― Boró; Boró! ― May I? I may!

   Μπορώ να έχω ένα ποτήρι νερό; ― Boró na écho éna potíri neró? ― Can I have a glass of water?

   Μπορεί να βρέξει αύριο. ― Boreí na vréxei ávrio. ― It may rain tomorrow.

3. (3rd person singular - μπορεί) it is possible

   δεν μπορεί ― den boreí ― it's not possible

   δεν μπορεί να ― den boreí na ― it cannot be

Further reading

• “μπορώ”, in Λεξικό της κοινής νεοελληνικής [Dictionary of Standard Modern Greek], Triantafyllidis Foundation, 1998