βάζω, βγάζω and βγαίνω

The Greek verbs βάζω, βγάζω and βγαίνω may look and sound similar, but they describe different actions. In this mini Greek lesson, you will learn what each verb means and how to use it in the present, aorist and simple future.

Notice that the aorist and future forms are not formed by simply adding an ending to the present form. It is useful to learn the three forms together.

What does «βάζω» mean?

The verb βάζω usually means “to put”, “to place” or “to add.”

Present

• Βάζω το βιβλίο στο τραπέζι.
  I put the book on the table.
• Βάζω ζάχαρη στον καφέ μου.
  I put sugar in my coffee.
• Βάζω το μπουφάν μου.
  I put on my jacket.

Aorist: έβαλα

The aorist describes a completed action in the past.

• Έβαλα το φαγητό στο ψυγείο.
  I put the food in the fridge.
• Έβαλα το κινητό στην τσάντα μου.
  I put my phone in my bag.

Simple future: θα βάλω

• Θα βάλω τα κλειδιά στο συρτάρι.
  I will put the keys in the drawer.
• Θα βάλω λίγο γάλα στον καφέ.
  I will put some milk in the coffee.

What does «βγάζω» mean?

The verb βγάζω is usually transitive, which means that the action affects an object. It can mean “to take out,” “to remove” or “to take off.”

Present

• Βγάζω τα βιβλία από την τσάντα.
  I take the books out of the bag.
• Βγάζω το μπουφάν μου.
  I take off my jacket.
• Βγάζω μια φωτογραφία.
  I take a photo.

Aorist: έβγαλα

• Έβγαλα τα παπούτσια μου.
  I took off my shoes.
• Έβγαλα το φαγητό από τον φούρνο.
  I took the food out of the oven.
• Έβγαλα πολλές φωτογραφίες στις διακοπές.
  I took many photos on holiday.

Simple future: θα βγάλω

• Θα βγάλω το παλτό μου.
  I will take off my coat.
• Θα βγάλω τα πιάτα από το πλυντήριο.
  I will take the plates out of the dishwasher.

What does «βγαίνω» mean?

The verb βγαίνω means “to go out,” “to come out” or “to leave a place.” Unlike βγάζω, it usually does not take a direct object.

Present

• Βγαίνω από το σπίτι στις οκτώ.
  I leave the house at eight.
• Βγαίνω με τους φίλους μου κάθε Σάββατο.
  I go out with my friends every Saturday.
• Ο ήλιος βγαίνει το πρωί.
  The sun comes out in the morning.

Aorist: βγήκα

• Βγήκα από το γραφείο στις πέντε.
  I left the office at five.
• Χθες βγήκα με τους φίλους μου.
  Yesterday, I went out with my friends.

Simple future: θα βγω

• Θα βγω από το σπίτι σε δέκα λεπτά.
  I will leave the house in ten minutes.
• Θα βγω για φαγητό το βράδυ.
  I will go out for dinner tonight.

Βγάζω or βγαίνω?

The main difference is that βγάζω usually means that someone removes or takes something out, while βγαίνω describes a person or thing going out by itself.

Compare:

• Βγάζω το βιβλίο από την τσάντα.
  I take the book out of the bag.
• Βγαίνω από το σπίτι.
  I leave the house.

Another useful comparison is:

• Βγάζω το παιδί έξω.
  I take the child outside.
• Το παιδί βγαίνει έξω.
  The child goes outside.

A useful way to remember them

βάζω = put something in or somewhere
βγάζω = take something out or remove it
βγαίνω = go out or come out

Learning these Greek verbs together with their aorist and future forms will help you use them more naturally in everyday conversations. Check more videos here: https://www.youtube.com/@timeforgreek6398

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