5 Declensions
Greek noun endings fall into patterns, called ‘declensions’. There are three declensions in total, with some variations inside each. The standard method for learning case endings is to learn the declension of one representative noun for each pattern. Two such nouns are τιμή and λόγος.
The case endings you have met so far are:
| τιμή, honour (1st declension) | ||
|---|---|---|
| singular | plural | |
| nominative | τιμή | τιμαί |
| accusative | τιμήν | τιμάς |
| genitive | τιμῆς | τιμῶν |
| λόγος, word (2nd declension) | ||
| singular | plural | |
| nominative | λόγος | λόγοι |
| accusative | λόγον | λόγους |
| genitive | λόγου | λόγων |
The declension of a noun can be determined from its dictionary entry. Remember that the dictionary entry shows the nominative form of a noun (e.g. τιμή) and its genitive singular ending (-ῆς). A noun with the same nominative and genitive singular as τιμή will follow the same pattern of endings. In grammatical terms, it belongs to the same declension as τιμή, or ‘declines like’ it.
- First declension:
- τιμή, -ῆς, ἡ honour
- βουλή, -ῆς, ἡ plan, council
- κόρη, -ης, ἡ girl
- νίκη, -ης, ἡ victory
Here are some nouns that belong to the same declension as λόγος:
- Second declension:
- λόγος, -ου, ὁ word
- ἄγγελος, -ου, ὁ messenger
- δοῦλος, -ου, ὁ slave
- ποταμός, -οῦ, ὁ river
Activity 6 Identify the declension
Using the dictionary entries, decide whether each of these nouns belongs to the first declension, like τιμή, or the second, like λόγος.
a.
first declension (like τιμή)
b.
second declension (like λόγος)
The correct answer is b.
a.
first declension (like τιμή)
b.
second declension (like λόγος)
The correct answer is a.
a.
first declension (like τιμή)
b.
second declension (like λόγος)
The correct answer is a.
a.
first declension (like τιμή)
b.
second declension (like λόγος)
The correct answer is b.
a.
first declension (like τιμή)
b.
second declension (like λόγος)
The correct answer is a.
a.
first declension (like τιμή)
b.
second declension (like λόγος)
The correct answer is a.
Activity 7 Case endings – first declension
These nouns decline like τιμή. Identify their case endings.
- Vocabulary
- νίκη, -ης, ἡ victory
- φωνή, -ῆς, ἡ sound, voice
- πύλη, -ης, ἡ gate
a.
nominative
b.
accusative
c.
genitive
The correct answer is c.
a.
nominative
b.
accusative
c.
genitive
The correct answer is b.
a.
nominative
b.
accusative
c.
genitive
The correct answer is a.
Activity 8 Case endings – second declension
These nouns decline like λόγος. Identify their case endings.
- Vocabulary
- ξένος, -ου, ὁ foreigner
- σύμμαχος, -ου, ὁ ally
- ποταμός, -οῦ, ὁ river
a.
nominative
b.
accusative
c.
genitive
The correct answer is b.
a.
nominative
b.
accusative
c.
genitive
The correct answer is c.
a.
nominative
b.
accusative
c.
genitive
The correct answer is a.