A1 Expression 중립

Πες την αλήθεια

Tell the truth

Commanding honesty.

🌍

문화적 배경

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!

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.

셀프 테스트

Fill in the correct form of the verb 'λέω' for a close friend.

____ την αλήθεια, σου αρέσει το φαγητό;

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Πες

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:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Πείτε την αλήθεια, παρακαλώ.

'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.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Πες την αλήθεια.

You use the singular informal 'Πες' with a family member.

Complete the dialogue.

Α: Δεν πήγα στο πάρτι. Β: ____, σε είδα εκεί!

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Πες την αλήθεια

Person B is confronting Person A, so the singular imperative is needed.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

Singular vs Plural

Informal (Singular)
Πες την αλήθεια To a friend
Formal (Plural)
Πείτε την αλήθεια To a boss/group

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'λέω' for a close friend. Fill Blank A1

____ την αλήθεια, σου αρέσει το φαγητό;

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Πες

We use 'Πες' for the singular imperative (one person, informal).

Which sentence is the most polite when talking to a group of strangers? Choose A2

Asking for the truth politely:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Πείτε την αλήθεια, παρακαλώ.

'Πείτε' is the plural/formal form, and 'παρακαλώ' adds politeness.

Match the phrase to the correct context. situation_matching A1

Context: You suspect your brother ate your cake.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Πες την αλήθεια.

You use the singular informal 'Πες' with a family member.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

Α: Δεν πήγα στο πάρτι. Β: ____, σε είδα εκεί!

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Πες την αλήθεια

Person B is confronting Person A, so the singular imperative is needed.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

12 질문

Yes, 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.

관련 표현

🔗

Πες μου

builds on

Tell me

🔄

Λέγε!

synonym

Speak! / Keep talking!

🔗

Για να λέμε την αλήθεια

similar

To tell the truth / To be honest

🔗

Η αλήθεια είναι ότι...

similar

The truth is that...

🔗

Πες τα!

similar

Tell them! / You said it!

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