Signification
Expressing surprise or asking for confirmation.
Contexte culturel
Greeks use rhetorical questions to express emotions more than many Northern European cultures. 'Είναι δυνατόν;' is often a way to seek empathy from the listener. In the Cypriot dialect, you might hear 'Εν δυνατόν;' (En dynaton), which serves the same purpose but with the local 'εν' instead of 'είναι'. In places like Astoria or Melbourne, second-generation Greeks often use the English 'Is it possible?' with the exact same intonation and emotional weight as the Greek phrase.
Use your hands!
When saying 'Είναι δυνατόν;' in a casual setting, open your palms and shrug your shoulders to look like a local.
Watch your tone
A rising intonation means 'I'm shocked,' while a flat intonation means 'Is this logistically possible?'.
Signification
Expressing surprise or asking for confirmation.
Use your hands!
When saying 'Είναι δυνατόν;' in a casual setting, open your palms and shrug your shoulders to look like a local.
Watch your tone
A rising intonation means 'I'm shocked,' while a flat intonation means 'Is this logistically possible?'.
The 'να' rule
Always follow with 'να' if you want to specify what is 'possible.'
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to express surprise.
Είναι _______ να μην ξέρεις πού είναι η Ακρόπολη;
We use the neuter form 'δυνατόν' for impersonal expressions.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask if a meeting can happen?
Θέλω να δω αν...
The pattern is 'είναι δυνατόν' + 'να' + subjunctive.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: Your friend tells you they won the lottery.
The phrase is used here to express positive shock.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Το λεωφορείο θα αργήσει 40 λεπτά. B: ________; Θα χάσω το μάθημα!
B is expressing disbelief and frustration.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΕίναι _______ να μην ξέρεις πού είναι η Ακρόπολη;
We use the neuter form 'δυνατόν' for impersonal expressions.
Θέλω να δω αν...
The pattern is 'είναι δυνατόν' + 'να' + subjunctive.
Situation: Your friend tells you they won the lottery.
The phrase is used here to express positive shock.
A: Το λεωφορείο θα αργήσει 40 λεπτά. B: ________; Θα χάσω το μάθημα!
B is expressing disbelief and frustration.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsYes! It is very common as a standalone exclamation of shock.
In the expression, 'δυνατόν' (with the 'ν') is the standard idiomatic form, though 'δυνατό' is sometimes heard in very casual speech.
Not necessarily, but it is much more common for negative surprise or frustration.
Expressions liées
δεν γίνεται
similarit's not happening / no way
αποκλείεται
synonymit's excluded / impossible
σοβαρά;
similarseriously?
πώς είναι δυνατόν
builds onhow is it possible
