Meaning
Previous day.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Yesterday' in Greek music often represents a lost era of innocence or a specific romantic memory. Many famous 'Rebetiko' songs use 'χθες' to contrast a difficult present with a more meaningful past. While 'χθες' means yesterday, in a high-pressure Greek office, saying 'Το θέλω χθες' (I want it yesterday) is a common way to signal that a task is extremely overdue and urgent. In Cyprus, you might hear 'εχτές' or 'χτες' with a slightly different phonetic stress, but the meaning remains identical to mainland Greece. For Greeks living abroad, 'το χθες' often refers to their life back in Greece before they emigrated, carrying a heavy sense of 'nostalghia'.
The 'To' Rule
When saying 'yesterday morning/evening', always include 'το': 'χθες το πρωί', 'χθες το βράδυ'.
Tense Agreement
Always use the Aorist (Past Simple) with 'χθες' for completed actions. Using the Present tense is a major giveaway that you are a beginner.
Meaning
Previous day.
The 'To' Rule
When saying 'yesterday morning/evening', always include 'το': 'χθες το πρωί', 'χθες το βράδυ'.
Tense Agreement
Always use the Aorist (Past Simple) with 'χθες' for completed actions. Using the Present tense is a major giveaway that you are a beginner.
Casual vs Formal
Use 'χτες' when chatting with friends to sound more like a native speaker. Save 'εχθές' for your Greek law exam!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct word for 'yesterday'.
_______ πήγα στο σούπερ μάρκετ.
The sentence is in the past tense (πήγα), so 'Χθες' is the only logical choice.
Which is the most formal version of the word?
Select the formal form:
'Εχθές' is the most formal/archaic variant.
Complete the dialogue.
Α: Τι έκανες χθες το βράδυ; Β: ___________.
The question asks about 'yesterday night', so the answer must be in the past tense.
Match the Greek time expression with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the most common variations of the word.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Registers of Yesterday
Practice Bank
4 exercises_______ πήγα στο σούπερ μάρκετ.
The sentence is in the past tense (πήγα), so 'Χθες' is the only logical choice.
Select the formal form:
'Εχθές' is the most formal/archaic variant.
Α: Τι έκανες χθες το βράδυ; Β: ___________.
The question asks about 'yesterday night', so the answer must be in the past tense.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the most common variations of the word.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsBoth are correct. 'Χθες' is the standard spelling, while 'χτες' reflects common pronunciation.
Yes, but you must say 'χθες το βράδυ'.
'Εχθές' is more formal and archaic. You will rarely hear it in casual conversation.
No, 'χθες' is an adverb and never changes its form.
Use the word 'προχθές'.
It sounds unnatural. Always use the article.
Yes, very frequently to refer to previous communications or deadlines.
It means 'like yesterday' and is used to say that a memory feels very fresh.
Not really, but 'χτες' is the informal phonetic version.
It's a combination of a raspy 'h' and a soft 'th'. Practice by saying 'h-th' quickly.
Related Phrases
προχθές
similarthe day before yesterday
σήμερα
contrasttoday
αύριο
contrasttomorrow
χθεσινός
specialized formyesterday's (adjective)
σαν χθες
idiomlike yesterday
