المعنى
Complaining about public transport delay.
خلفية ثقافية
In Athens, the 'telematics' (τηλεματική) displays at bus stops are generally reliable, but when they stop working, 'Το λεωφορείο αργεί' becomes the standard greeting among waiting passengers. Thessaloniki is famous for its bus system (OASTH) being the only form of public transport (until the Metro opens). Complaining about the bus is a major part of the local identity. On islands, bus schedules are often 'suggestions'. 'Το λεωφορείο αργεί' might mean it's coming in 5 minutes or 50 minutes, and nobody is particularly surprised. Being late due to the bus is often a 'get out of jail free' card for minor tardiness, as everyone knows the traffic and transport issues in major cities.
Use 'Πάλι'
Add 'πάλι' (again) to sound more like a local: 'Το λεωφορείο αργεί πάλι!'
Don't say 'είναι αργά'
This is the #1 mistake. Remember: things 'αργούν', they aren't 'αργά'.
المعنى
Complaining about public transport delay.
Use 'Πάλι'
Add 'πάλι' (again) to sound more like a local: 'Το λεωφορείο αργεί πάλι!'
Don't say 'είναι αργά'
This is the #1 mistake. Remember: things 'αργούν', they aren't 'αργά'.
The 'Eye Roll'
A slight upward eye roll while saying this phrase adds 100% more authenticity to your Greek.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'αργώ'.
Το λεωφορείο _______ (αργώ) σήμερα.
We use the third-person singular 'αργεί' because 'το λεωφορείο' is the subject.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'The bus is late' in Greek?
Choose the correct option:
In Greek, we use the verb 'αργώ' to express that something is late.
Complete the dialogue at the bus stop.
A: Συγγνώμη, περιμένετε πολλή ώρα; B: Ναι, ________________.
The context of waiting a long time implies the bus is late.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are calling your friend to say you will be late because of the bus.
This is the standard excuse for transport-related delays.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينΤο λεωφορείο _______ (αργώ) σήμερα.
We use the third-person singular 'αργεί' because 'το λεωφορείο' is the subject.
Choose the correct option:
In Greek, we use the verb 'αργώ' to express that something is late.
A: Συγγνώμη, περιμένετε πολλή ώρα; B: Ναι, ________________.
The context of waiting a long time implies the bus is late.
Situation: You are calling your friend to say you will be late because of the bus.
This is the standard excuse for transport-related delays.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYes, you can say 'Το τρένο αργεί'. It works for any vehicle.
It is a verb (the 3rd person singular of 'αργώ').
'Αργεί' is more common in speech; 'καθυστερεί' is more formal or official.
You say 'Το λεωφορείο αργεί πέντε λεπτά'.
It's a cultural way to bond over shared frustrations with public infrastructure.
It can be. It's better to say it *at* the stop to other passengers than *to* the driver.
Yes, 'Ο Γιάννης αργεί' means 'Yiannis is taking a long time' or 'Yiannis is late'.
Then you say 'Το λεωφορείο δεν έρχεται' (The bus isn't coming).
Just use a questioning tone: 'Το λεωφορείο αργεί;'
You can say 'Το λεωφορείο με έστησε' (The bus stood me up).
عبارات ذات صلة
Έχει κίνηση
similarThere is traffic.
Χάνω το λεωφορείο
relatedI miss the bus.
Προλαβαίνω το λεωφορείο
contrastI catch the bus in time.
Στάση λεωφορείου
builds onBus stop.
