Weeks 5–6: Verb Stems and Personal Endings

Introduction

So far, you’ve focused on nouns and articles—learning how to recognize who is doing an action and to whom that action is directed. Now it’s time to dive into verbs, the engine of every sentence.

In Greek, verbs carry a tremendous amount of information. Unlike English, where we rely heavily on word order and helper words (e.g., “I am,” “you are”), Greek verbs pack meaning directly into their endings. By learning how verbs are built—stems plus personal endings—you’ll be able to recognize who is doing what, even without context clues.

Step 1: The Verb Stem

The stem is the core of the verb, the part that carries the basic meaning.

Example:

• λυ- (lu-) = “loosen / release”

• γραφ- (graph-) = “write”

The stem never changes its meaning—it always carries the core idea. What changes is the ending.

Step 2: Personal Endings

The personal ending tells you who is performing the action (I, you, he/she, we, you [plural], they).

In the present active indicative (the default tense and mood you will learn first), the endings are:

Present Active Indicative Endings

Step 3: Building Verbs

To conjugate a verb in the present active indicative:

1. Take the stem.

2. Add the connecting vowel (usually ο or ε).

3. Attach the personal ending.

Example: λυ- (lu-, “loosen”)

• Singular:

  • λυ-ω → I loosen

  • λυ-εις → You loosen

  • λυ-ει → He/she/it loosens

• Plural:

  • λυ-ομεν → We loosen

  • λυ-ετε → You (all) loosen

  • λυ-ουσι(ν) → They loosen

👉 Notice how Greek does not need a separate subject pronoun (like “I” or “they”)—the ending itself tells you who is doing the action.

Step 4: Reading Verbs in Sentences

1. ὁ μαθητης λυει τὸν λογον.

• Subject: ὁ μαθητης (“the disciple”).

• Verb: λυει = “he loosens.”

• Translation: “The disciple loosens the word.”

2. λυομεν τὴν γραφην.

• Verb: λυομεν = “we loosen.”

• Object: τὴν γραφην = “the Scripture.”

• Translation: “We loosen the Scripture.”

Step 5: Key Observations

• The stem gives the meaning.

• The ending tells you the subject.

• Greek verbs contain both meaning and subject in one word.

This is why Greek sentences are so compact and powerful.

Practice Assignments

1. Paradigm Writing
Conjugate λυω (luō) in the present active indicative. Write out all six forms and their translations.

2. Stem Recognition
Identify the stem in the following verbs:

• γραφω (graphō, “I write”)

• βλεπω (blepō, “I see”)

• πιστευω (pisteuō, “I believe”)

3. Conjugation Practice
Conjugate each verb above (λυω, γραφω, βλεπω) in the present active indicative, with English translations.

4. Translation Drill
Translate the following sentences:

1. γραφομεν τὴν γραφην.

2. βλεπουσιν τὸν κυριον.

3. πιστευω τῷ θεῷ.

5. Daily Review

• Spend 10 minutes daily reciting endings aloud (-ω, -εις, -ει, -ομεν, -ετε, -ουσι).

• Practice with the Scripturial App to reinforce both stems and endings.

Encouragement

At first, the paradigm may feel like a chart to memorize—but soon you’ll see it everywhere. Once you recognize these endings, verbs will begin to “click” naturally. You’ll find yourself able to read whole sentences without stopping to puzzle out each form.

Remember: every scholar who has ever studied Koine Greek started right here—stems plus endings. Stay consistent, practice daily, and you’ll soon find Greek verbs becoming second nature.

You’re doing the hard work that unlocks the heart of the New Testament text. Keep at it—you’re building real reading power!