A very typical mistake in the Greek language is the wrong use of the adverb «πολύ» and the feminine adjective «πολλή». Both of them sound phonetically the same and are used to show the quantity or the high degree of something / someone. It is so easy to mistaken them that even Greeks themselves sometimes misunderstand them! However, don’t be discouraged. It is equally easy to learn how to use them correctly!
- The adverb «πολύ» (very, too much, a lot)
The adverb “very much” comes in front of an adjective or another adverb or accompanies a verb.
- Είσαι πολύ έξυπνος (íse polí éxipnos) = You are very smart (in front of the adjective)
- Τρέχω πολύ γρήγορα (trého polí ghrígora) = I run very fast (in front of the adverb)
- Διάβασα πολύ (thiávasa polí) = I studied a lot (accompanies the verb)
- The feminine adjective «πολλή» (a lot of, too much)
The adjective “a lot of” always comes in front of a feminine noun.
- Πίνω καφέ με πολλή ζάχαρη (píno kafé me polí záhari) = I drink coffee with a lot of sugar (in front of the feminine noun)
- Με πολλή αγάπη (me polí aghápi) = With much love (in front of the feminine noun)
- Κάνει πολλή ζέστη (káni polí zésti) = It is too hot, very hot (in front of the feminine noun)
Now try to think of the correct answer (adverb or adjective) to accompany the following words: αργά (arghá), βροχή (vrohí), ώρα (óra), δυνατά (thinatá), δουλειά (thuliá)
Attention! The stress mark is necessary to be used correctly! Because if you say «πόλη» (póli), it means “city”!