χθες
Wordform Details
Translation: yesterday
Part of Speech: adverb
Inflection Type:
adverbIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: χθες
Translation: yesterday (adverb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek χθές (khthés), meaning 'yesterday'. The word is cognate with Latin hesternus (relating to yesterday) and shares Indo-European roots with English 'yesterday' through the Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰyes-. The initial 'χθ' cluster is characteristic of ancient Greek words and represents an aspirated velar fricative followed by a dental, making it distinctively Greek in sound and appearance.
Mnemonics
- Think 'X-thes' - the X marks yesterday on your calendar
- The 'χθ' looks like crossed-out time that has passed
Synonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Used in everyday conversation and formal writing alike. Essential for discussing past events and is one of the most fundamental time expressions in Greek.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: εχθές is an alternative spelling/pronunciation of the same word, more common in formal or literary contexts
This word:
Χθες είδα τον Γιάννη.
Yesterday I saw John.
Confused word:
Εχθές συναντήθηκαν οι υπουργοί.
Yesterday the ministers met.
Notes: Both forms are correct, but χθες is more commonly used in spoken Greek
Mnemonic: χθες is the everyday form, εχθές sounds more formal with the extra 'ε'