Signification
Takes a long time to reach.
Contexte culturel
In Greece, distances are often measured in time rather than kilometers. If you ask how far a place is, a Greek might say 'είναι πολύς ο δρόμος' to mean 'it will take you a long time,' regardless of the actual distance, often due to winding mountain roads. Cypriots use this phrase similarly, but often in the context of the 'long road' to political resolution or reunification, a topic that has dominated national discourse for decades. For Greeks living abroad (in the US, Australia, Germany), 'είναι πολύς ο δρόμος' often refers to the literal long flight back to the homeland, which is seen as a pilgrimage. The concept of the 'long road' is tied to the myth of Heracles and his choice at the crossroads between the 'Road of Virtue' (long and difficult) and the 'Road of Vice' (short and easy).
Add 'ακόμα'
Adding 'ακόμα' (still) at the end makes you sound much more like a native speaker: 'Είναι πολύς ο δρόμος ακόμα.'
Watch the Gender
Never say 'πολλή ο δρόμος'. Even though 'road' is feminine in many languages, in Greek it is strictly masculine.
Signification
Takes a long time to reach.
Add 'ακόμα'
Adding 'ακόμα' (still) at the end makes you sound much more like a native speaker: 'Είναι πολύς ο δρόμος ακόμα.'
Watch the Gender
Never say 'πολλή ο δρόμος'. Even though 'road' is feminine in many languages, in Greek it is strictly masculine.
Use for Goals
Don't just use this for driving. Use it to show you are a serious student or professional by acknowledging the 'long road' to mastery.
The 'Ithaca' Vibe
If you want to sound philosophical, use 'μακρύς' instead of 'πολύς' to reference the famous poem by Cavafy.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'πολύς'.
Μην βιάζεσαι, είναι ______ ο δρόμος μέχρι να μάθεις την τέχνη.
'Δρόμος' is masculine singular nominative, so we need 'πολύς'.
Match the phrase to the most likely situation.
Situation: A student just started their first day of a 6-year medical degree.
A 6-year degree is a long metaphorical journey.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
Α: Φτάνουμε σε πέντε λεπτά; Β: Όχι, δυστυχώς ________.
The speaker is contradicting the idea that they arrive in 5 minutes.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct Greek sentence.
Only 'πολύς' matches the masculine singular 'δρόμος'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Polys vs. Makrys
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΜην βιάζεσαι, είναι ______ ο δρόμος μέχρι να μάθεις την τέχνη.
'Δρόμος' is masculine singular nominative, so we need 'πολύς'.
Situation: A student just started their first day of a 6-year medical degree.
A 6-year degree is a long metaphorical journey.
Α: Φτάνουμε σε πέντε λεπτά; Β: Όχι, δυστυχώς ________.
The speaker is contradicting the idea that they arrive in 5 minutes.
Select the correct Greek sentence.
Only 'πολύς' matches the masculine singular 'δρόμος'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, for a meeting you would say 'η συνάντηση διαρκεί πολλή ώρα'. 'Δρόμος' is only for journeys or processes.
Yes! 'Πολύς' is the adjective (much road), while 'πολύ' is the adverb (very). You say 'πολύς δρόμος' but 'πολύ μακριά'.
Not necessarily, but it can be discouraging. It's better to say 'έχεις κάνει πολλή δουλειά' (you've done a lot of work) first.
You could say 'είναι κοντά' (it's close) or 'είμαστε σχεδόν εκεί' (we are almost there).
Yes, to describe your career path or the future of the company. It sounds realistic.
Greek uses definite articles much more than English. In this structure, it specifies 'the road' we are currently talking about.
Only if you are being sarcastic or if you are very tired!
Yes, many Greek songs use the 'long road' as a metaphor for love or life struggles.
You would say 'ήταν πολύς ο δρόμος'.
Yes, it can describe the physical length of a specific highway.
Expressions liées
είναι μακρύς ο δρόμος
similarThe road is long
έχουμε δρόμο ακόμα
synonymWe still have road
είμαστε στην αρχή
builds onWe are at the beginning
ο δρόμος προς την επιτυχία
specialized formThe road to success
κοντός ψαλμός αλληλούια
contrastShort psalm, hallelujah
