Γειά σου! Με λένε Κάτη και είμαι από τη(ν) Φινλανδία. Θέλω να μάθω τα ελληνικά γιατί αγαπάω την Ελλάδα και θέλω να ταξιδέψω εκεί με την οικογένειά μου. Ίσως αυτό το καλοκαίρι ήδη. Έχω δύο παιδιά, ένα κορίτσι και ένα αγόρι. Είναι έξι και τρία χρονών. Έχω και τρία σκυλιά και έναν άνδρα :) Έχω σπουδάσει τα ελληνικά για τρεις μήνες μόνη μου.
Αυτές είναι οι πρώτες μου λέξεις στο italki... Δεν είναι εύκολο...
Hello Kati,
Just a few words about the corrections.
την : In general after prepositions nouns and articles go in the Accusative. The accusative of "η" is "την"
"Θέλω να μάθω" This ending is the perfective form of the verb, indicating "completeness", or that it applies to a "specific" instance. If you were to say "να μαθαίνω", this would mean to learn but at any time of your life, not specific to any instance, or it could express "duration", something like saying "to be learning".
"ελληνικά" as the name of the language is always in plural neuter, and with lowercase.
"Θέλω να ταξιδέψω" : Again, since you're talking about a specific trip, you use the form that applies for a specific instance. This kind of form, like "ταξιδέψω" with "ψ" is called Απλή υποτακτική (simple subjunctive) but it really does the job of the infinitive in many other languages. The form of the verb "ταξιδεύω" is the present (Ενεστώτας) when used by itself, and when used like "να ταξιδεύω", which has a continuous meaning, it's called the Συνεχής υποτακτική (Continuous subjunctive), and it means something like "to be traveling", or "to travel" when not tied to any specific instance. Some verbs always require the continuous form, here are some, and I hope you can make sense as to why: "μ'αρέσει να βγαίνω έξω", "Από πότε άρχισες να καπνίζεις", "Θα συνεχίσουν να έρχονται αργά", "Την είδα να χορεύει", "Τους άκουσε να λένε". So in short always use continuous after the verbs: αρέσει, αρχίζω, συνεχίζω, βλέπω, and ακούω.
Ίσως, most adverbs in Greek end in "ως" , with the omega spelling. This is a useful thing to remember.
"Αυτές είναι οι πρώτες μου λέξεις" : the word λέξη forms a plural like λέξεις, this is a well defined way of forming a feminine plural, and that you will surely dedicate lessons to, so don't worry too much at this point. After the verb "είναι" or any other form of that verb, the nouns go in ονομαστική (Nominative) and not in accusative like most other verbs taking an object. The idea behind this, is that είμαι is forming a sort of equality relationship, and not really performing the action <em>on </em>the following things.
I hope this has helped you, and don't worry too much about the mistakes for now. With a good method book, you will see all these in detail, and get practice on them. Essentially, there are a number of forms of most grammatical categories: nouns, plurals, adjectives, cases, and this needs to be approached methodically and patiently, but eventually you will learn them because it's like learning many easy things. The mastering of them takes time, and it is rather an ongoing thing, for sure, it is best to space them out in order to not confuse them.
