Back
Advanced

Indirect Speech

ότι, πως, να for reported speech

ότι / πως introduces reported statements

Both are equivalent to that in reported speech.

💬 Examples
Λέει ότι είναι κουρασμένος.
LEH-ee OH-tee EE-ne ku-raz-MEH-nos
He says (that) he is tired.
📝 ότι = that
Είπε πως θα έρθει.
He said (that) he would come.
📝 πως = that (equally common)
Tenses adjust in indirect speech

The reported verb tense shifts to reflect the time of speaking.

💬 Examples
Είπε ότι ήταν κουρασμένος.
He said he was tired.
📝 past reporting → imperfect in the clause
Είπε ότι θα έρθει.
He said he would come.
📝 θα + future retained
να introduces reported wishes and commands

An indirect command or wish uses the same να-structure.

💬 Examples
Είπε να φύγουμε.
He told us to leave.
📝 να + subjunctive as indirect command
Ζήτησε να έρθουμε νωρίς.
He asked us to come early.
📝 ζητώ + να = ask (someone) to