ξέρω

See also: ξερό

Greek

Alternative forms

Etymology

Inherited from the mediaeval Byzantine Greek ξέρω (xérō), ἐξέρω (exérō), from Ancient Greek ἐξεῦρον (exeûron), aorist of ἐξευρίσκω (exeurískō, “to find out”), from εὑρίσκω (heurískō, “to find”) (whence Modern βρίσκω (vrísko)).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈkse.ɾo/
  • Hyphenation: ξέ‧ρω

Verb

ξέρω • (xéro) (imperfect ήξερα) found only in the imperfective tenses

  1. (most senses) to know of, be familiar with (a fact, a person or a language)
    Το ήξερα ότι ήταν γιατρός. ― To íxera óti ítan giatrós. ― I knew he was a doctor.
    Τους άλλους φίλους του δεν τους ξέρω. ― Tous állous fílous tou den tous xéro. ― I don't know his other friends.
    Ξέρεις καθόλου Γερμανικά; ― Xéreis kathólou Germaniká? ― Do you know any German?
    Ξέρεις να κολυμπάς; ― Xéreis na kolympás? ― Do you know how to swim?
  2. (transitive, with για (gia)) know someone as, know someone to be
    Εγώ, τουλάχιστον, την ξέρω για άνθρωπο πολύ χαλαρό.
    Egó, touláchiston, tin xéro gia ánthropo polý chalaró.
    I, at least, know her as a very calm person.

Conjugation
ξέρω   (active forms only imperfective)
Active voice ➤   —   Imperfective aspect ➤
Indicative mood ➤ Present ➤ Imperfect ➤ Future ➤
1 sg ξέρω ήξερα θα ξέρω
2 sg ξέρεις ήξερες θα ξέρεις
3 sg ξέρει ήξερε θα ξέρει
1 pl ξέρουμε, [‑ομε] ξέραμε θα ξέρουμε, [‑ομε]
2 pl ξέρετε ξέρατε θα ξέρετε
3 pl ξέρουν(ε) ήξεραν, ξέραν(ε) θα ξέρουν(ε)
Subjunctive mood ➤ Formed using present tense from above with a particle (να, ας).
Imperative mood ➤ 2 sg 2 pl
Imperfective aspect ξέρε ξέρετε
Other forms Present participle ➤
ξέροντας ➤
Notes  
 
Appendix:Greek verbs		  • (…) optional or informal.   […] rare.   {…} learned, archaic.
 • Multiple forms are shown in order of reducing frequency.
 • Periphrastic imperative forms may be produced using the subjunctive.

Synonyms
  • (know a fact or person): γνωρίζω (gnorízo)
  • (know a fact): μαθαίνω (mathaíno, “to learn”)
  • (know a fact): πληροφορούμαι (pliroforoúmai, “to be informed”)
  • (know a language): κατέχω (katécho, “to master, to hold”)
  • (know a language): μιλώ (miló, “to speak”)

Derived terms
  • ξέρω ’γω; (xéro ’go?, “I've no idea”, literally “do I know?”)
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