Stress Accent
The accent mark (τόνος) and stress rules
Can identify and place the stress accent correctly
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Πότε φεύγεις;
When are you leaving?
Ο άνθρωπος είναι εδώ.
The person is here.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Stress Accent
Every multi-syllable Greek word has a written accent (΄). Stress falls on one of the last 3 syllables only.
- One-syllable words: no accent (και, στο, με)
- Accent can shift: ο άνθρωπος → του ανθρώπου
- Stress changes meaning: πότε (when?) vs. ποτέ (never)
English stress is unpredictable and unwritten. Greek always marks it — always read the accent mark! πότε (when) ≠ ποτέ (never).
Πότε φεύγεις;
When are you leaving?
πότε (when?) — stress on first syllable. Compare: ποτέ = never.
Ο άνθρωπος είναι εδώ.
The person is here.
άνθρωπος — stress on first syllable (ά). In genitive: ανθρώπου — stress shifts.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises