Signification
Not knowing the location.
Contexte culturel
In cities like Athens, street signs are often hidden or missing. Saying 'δεν ξέρω πού είναι' is a very common and accepted part of urban life. On islands, directions are rarely given by street names. If you ask for a place and someone says 'δεν ξέρω πού είναι', they might follow up with 'ask the priest' or 'ask at the kafeneio'. Greeks feel a social obligation to help. Even if they say 'δεν ξέρω', they will likely stop and think for a minute to try and remember. With the rise of Google Maps in Greece, younger people might say 'δεν ξέρω πού είναι, δες το GPS' (I don't know where it is, check the GPS).
The Shrug
In Greece, a shrug and a slight head tilt often accompany this phrase to show you genuinely want to help but can't.
The Accent Matters
If you write it without the accent on 'πού', a Greek person might read it as 'I don't know that is' which sounds broken.
Signification
Not knowing the location.
The Shrug
In Greece, a shrug and a slight head tilt often accompany this phrase to show you genuinely want to help but can't.
The Accent Matters
If you write it without the accent on 'πού', a Greek person might read it as 'I don't know that is' which sounds broken.
Add 'ακριβώς'
Saying 'Δεν ξέρω πού είναι ακριβώς' (I don't know exactly where it is) makes you sound much more fluent.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'I don't know where the keys are'.
Δεν ξέρω ____ είναι τα κλειδιά.
You need the accented 'πού' because it is an interrogative meaning 'where'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct Greek sentence:
'Δεν' is the correct negator, and 'πού' must have an accent.
Match the Greek phrase to its English translation.
Match the following:
Matching the interrogative pronouns (πού, ποιος, πώς, πότε).
Complete the dialogue.
Α: Πού είναι το φαρμακείο; Β: Λυπάμαι, ________.
The context requires an admission of not knowing the location.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΔεν ξέρω ____ είναι τα κλειδιά.
You need the accented 'πού' because it is an interrogative meaning 'where'.
Choose the correct Greek sentence:
'Δεν' is the correct negator, and 'πού' must have an accent.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Matching the interrogative pronouns (πού, ποιος, πώς, πότε).
Α: Πού είναι το φαρμακείο; Β: Λυπάμαι, ________.
The context requires an admission of not knowing the location.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, 'Δεν ξέρω' (I don't know) is perfectly fine on its own if the context of location is already established.
Yes, it is neutral. To be extra polite, add 'Λυπάμαι' (I'm sorry) or 'Συγγνώμη' (Excuse me) at the beginning.
'Πού είναι' is more common in speech, while 'πού βρίσκεται' is more formal and used for permanent locations like buildings.
In Modern Greek, 'είναι' is used for both singular and plural, so the phrase remains exactly the same!
Expressions liées
δεν ξέρω ποιος είναι
similarI don't know who it is.
δεν ξέρω πώς είναι
similarI don't know how it is.
δεν έχω ιδέα
builds onI have no idea.
πού να ξέρω;
specialized formHow should I know?
