Signification
Commanding honesty.
Contexte culturel
Greeks often use 'Πες την αλήθεια' as a way to start a 'deep' conversation. It signals that the time for small talk is over. In Cyprus, you might hear 'Πες την αλήθκεια' with a slightly different pronunciation of the 'th' sound, often more palatalized. In the US or Australia, 'Πες την αλήθεια' is one of the few phrases second-generation Greeks retain, often used jokingly during family arguments. In Greek business, honesty is valued but often delivered indirectly. Using 'Πες την αλήθεια' can be a way to break the ice and get to the 'real' numbers.
Eye Contact
When saying this in Greece, maintain eye contact. It shows you are serious about wanting the truth.
Tone Matters
A soft tone makes it a plea; a loud tone makes it an accusation. Be careful with your volume!
Signification
Commanding honesty.
Eye Contact
When saying this in Greece, maintain eye contact. It shows you are serious about wanting the truth.
Tone Matters
A soft tone makes it a plea; a loud tone makes it an accusation. Be careful with your volume!
Add 'μου'
Adding 'μου' (Πες μου την αλήθεια) makes the request more personal and less like an order.
The 'Really?' Factor
Use it with a rising intonation to mean 'Are you for real?' when someone tells you a crazy story.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'λέω' for a close friend.
____ την αλήθεια, σου αρέσει το φαγητό;
We use 'Πες' for the singular imperative (one person, informal).
Which sentence is the most polite when talking to a group of strangers?
Asking for the truth politely:
'Πείτε' is the plural/formal form, and 'παρακαλώ' adds politeness.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Context: You suspect your brother ate your cake.
You use the singular informal 'Πες' with a family member.
Complete the dialogue.
Α: Δεν πήγα στο πάρτι. Β: ____, σε είδα εκεί!
Person B is confronting Person A, so the singular imperative is needed.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Singular vs Plural
Banque d exercices
4 exercices____ την αλήθεια, σου αρέσει το φαγητό;
We use 'Πες' for the singular imperative (one person, informal).
Asking for the truth politely:
'Πείτε' is the plural/formal form, and 'παρακαλώ' adds politeness.
Context: You suspect your brother ate your cake.
You use the singular informal 'Πες' with a family member.
Α: Δεν πήγα στο πάρτι. Β: ____, σε είδα εκεί!
Person B is confronting Person A, so the singular imperative is needed.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, in very casual speech, the article 'την' is sometimes dropped, but 'Πες την αλήθεια' is more standard.
Yes, if you use 'Πες'. Use 'Πείτε μου την αλήθεια' instead to be respectful.
The opposite would be 'Πες ψέματα' (Tell lies), but it's rarely used except sarcastically.
You say 'Πες μου όλη την αλήθεια'.
Yes, it is always a feminine noun (η αλήθεια).
Absolutely. It's very common in texting, often written as 'Πες αλήθεια'.
It's a casual way to say 'So, tell me...' or 'Go on, spill the beans'.
It's a soft 'th' like in the English word 'thin' or 'thought'.
Yes, 'Πες το στα ίσια' (Say it straight) is a common informal alternative.
No, for 'To be honest', use 'Για να είμαι ειλικρινής' or 'Η αλήθεια είναι...'.
Yes, with a questioning tone, it can mean 'Are you serious?'.
Very often! Many Greek pop songs use it in the context of romantic betrayal.
Expressions liées
Πες μου
builds onTell me
Λέγε!
synonymSpeak! / Keep talking!
Για να λέμε την αλήθεια
similarTo tell the truth / To be honest
Η αλήθεια είναι ότι...
similarThe truth is that...
Πες τα!
similarTell them! / You said it!
