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Modern Greek language

Modern Greek language

4.2
The form of Greek spoken and written in Greece and Cyprus today
  • noun
translation icon : griego moderno
  • The novel was translated from Modern Greek language into English.

Examples

  • Many students choose to study Modern Greek language at university.

  • The Modern Greek language has evolved significantly over the years.

  • He is fluent in both Modern Greek language and English.

  • I am learning Modern Greek language at the university.

  • Many students choose to study Modern Greek language at university.

  • He is fluent in both Modern Greek language and English.

  • The Modern Greek language has evolved significantly over the years.

Synonyms

Modern Greek
vsModern Greek language
1 4.5

The Greek language spoken and written since the late Middle Ages

is the established contemporary name rather than older labels
New Greek language
vsModern Greek language
4.9

The Greek language spoken and written from the Middle Ages to today, also called Modern Greek

is used as the main contemporary term in Greece and Cyprus
New Greek
vsModern Greek language
5.7

The Greek language people speak and write today

is the local term covering both historical and present forms
Romaic language
vsModern Greek language
  • Archaic
9.9

A common form of Greek spoken since the late Middle Ages

is the preferred term in contemporary speech and writing
Romaic
vsModern Greek language
  • Archaic
9.9

A modern everyday form of the Greek language used instead of ancient Greek

is the name commonly used today for that same language

Surface Forms

Morphology

modern + Greek + language

The meaning 'the form of the Greek language used today' is directly and compositionally built from 'modern' (current), 'Greek' (the national/language identifier) and 'language' (a system of speech), so a learner who knows those words can deduce the intended referent. This modifier + noun pattern is cross-linguistically common and follows straightforward English noun phrase composition, making it immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Modern Greek language may be pictured as a river that began in ancient times but slowly changed its course over many years, so its words and grammar are not the same as long ago. That's why it means 'the Greek spoken and written today' in places like Greece and Cyprus.