Compound words
γλυκόξινος, καρδιοχτύπι, χασομέρης: how two words make a third — and the ubiquitous -ο- that welds them.
The linking vowel -ο-
The first member drops its ending and -ο- makes the joint: νύχτα + πουλί → νυχτοπούλι, ψάρι + βάρκα → ψαρόβαρκα, κρασί + ποτήρι → κρασοπότηρο. The stress often climbs: θάλασσα + ταραχή → θαλασσοταραχή.
The meaning patterns
Coordination: γλυκόξινος (sweet-and-sour), ανεβοκατεβαίνω (go up and down). Determination: ψαρόσουπα (FISH soup). Verb + object: χασομέρης (day-waster). Possession: καλόκαρδος (good-hearted), ανοιχτοχέρης (open-handed).
Expressive prefixoids: θεο-, κατα-, ολο-
Spoken Greek intensifies by compounding: θεότρελος (stark mad), κατάμαυρος (jet black), ολοκαίνουργιος (brand new), πεντακάθαρος (spotless), βαθυγάλαζος (deep blue). A Γ2 speaker understands them AND knows they are colloquial.
Your turn
Choose the correct form.