If you’re learning Greek, you may already know verbs like πλένω, ετοιμάζω, πληρώνω, κλείνω and σηκώνω.
But what happens when these verbs change to forms ending in -ομαι?
Sometimes the meaning is predictable — but sometimes it changes in a way you might not expect.
From active to passive forms
Πλένω → Πλένομαι
I wash → I wash myself
Ετοιμάζω → Ετοιμάζομαι
I prepare → I get ready
Πληρώνω → Πληρώνομαι
I pay → I get paid
Κλείνω → Κλείνομαι
I close → I shut myself in / I become withdrawn
Σηκώνω → Σηκώνομαι
I lift → I get up
They’re not always simply “passive”
Here’s an important detail: forms ending in -ομαι don’t always translate naturally as an English passive.
For example, πληρώνομαι really does mean “I get paid.” But σηκώνομαι means “I get up,” and ετοιμάζομαι means “I get ready.”
That’s why it’s useful to learn these forms as they are actually used, rather than trying to translate them word for word.
Once you start recognizing common -ομαι verbs, you’ll notice them everywhere in everyday Greek.
Watch the video below to see how these five Greek verbs change — in both form and meaning. 🇬🇷
