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First Declension Nouns

Almost all Greek nouns belong to one of three INFLECTION patterns, called the FIRST DECLENSION, SECOND DECLENSION, and THIRD DECLENSION. Each represents a particular set of CASE ENDINGS for gender, number, and case. So far, we have encountered only THIRD DECLENSION nouns. This lesson introduces FIRST DECLENSION nouns.

1. First Declension: Nouns with –η in the Singular

Most nouns of the first declension end in –η in the singular, which becomes –α in the plural (S 212). Most nouns in this declension are FEMININE and use endings similar to those of the FEMININE DEFINITE ARTICLE (S 216; GPH p. 1).

ἡ ἀγάπη -ης  love, charity

ἡ γνώμη -ης  idea, intelligence, opinion

ἡ τιμή -ῆς value, honor

2. Accent of First Declension Nouns

Recall that nouns have a PERSISTENT ACCENT. FIRST DECLENSION nouns generally follow this pattern. There are two accent rules, however, that apply to nouns of the FIRST DECLENSION, but not to those of the third declension.

1. Some FIRST DECLENSION nouns, e.g. τιμή -ῆς, have a persistent accent on the ultima of all inflected forms. When this happens, a CIRCUMFLEX is used on the genitive and dative, singular and plural; an ACUTE accent falls on the nominative and accusative, singular and plural. We have encountered the ultima “circumflex belt” before; note the accent pattern, for example, on the definite articles as well as on a number of pronouns, such as αὐτός αὐτή αὐτό.
2. No matter where the persistent accent of a FIRST DECLENSION noun falls, the genitive plural is accented with a circumflex on the ultima: –ῶν. Note, for example, the inflections of ἀγάπη -ης and γνώμη -ης, above. This accent reflects a contraction of the original ending of the genitive plural: –άων (S 213).

For a download of all the accent rules for nouns, click here: Greek Accents Nouns.

3. Inflection of γῆ γῆς

There is only one monosyllabic first declension noun in our vocabulary list: γῆ γῆς. For this noun, all inflected forms have a circumflex! This noun reflects a contraction of γέᾱ– or γάᾱ-, and declines in Attic Greek as follows (S 227; cf. GPH p. 4):

ἡ γῆ γῆς earth

4. First Declension: After –ε, –ι or –ρ 

In Attic and Koine Greek, when a first declension noun has a stem ending in –ε, –ι or –ρ, ᾱ appears instead of η in all cases in the singular (e.g. οἰκίᾱ building, house, χώρᾱ land, place). This change has no meaning. It is just a difference in pronunciation. These endings remain all long with the exception of the nominative plural –αι (cf. S 216; GPH p. 2).

Note that when this change to ᾱ occurs in the genitive singular, its form now is identical to that of the accusative plural! The definite article, as well as context within a sentence, helps to distinguish between the two.

ἡ οἰκία -ας building, house

ἡ χώρα -ας land, place

5. First Declension: Nominative and Accusative Singular in –ᾰ–

A handful of first declension nouns end in –ᾰ– in the NOMINATIVE and ACCUSATIVE SINGULAR, yet still retain –η– in the genitive and dative singular (S 216, 221; cf. GPH p. 2). Nouns of this class can often be identified by the accent of the nominative singular. Note, for example, that the –α must be short for the accent to be able to recede to the antepenult of θάλαττα sea, or to allow for a circumflex over the penult of γλῶττα tongue, language.

Again, when this type of noun has a stem ending in –ε, –ι or –ρ, ᾱ is used for the genitive and dative singular. Note the following inflections:

ἡ γλῶττα -ης tongue, language

ἡ ἀλήθεια -ας truth

6. First Declension: Masculine Nouns

Most nouns of the first declension are feminine. Some nouns of the first declension, however, are MASCULINE, particularly those referring to a specifically male person. In such instances, two changes occur:

• The NOMINATIVE SINGULAR adds –ς.
• The GENITIVE SINGULAR uses the masculine –ου ending.

Otherwise, masculine nouns follow the basic rules for all other first declension nouns. Observe the following (cf.  S 222; GPH p. 3):

ὁ στρατιώτης –ου soldier

ὁ ποιητής -οῦ creator, poet

– τὸ τέλος –