lesson 3 - a tense problem

[Tertius Robertus]

hi

in lesson 3 mr φαÏ￾Ï￾ introduces this verb ην and ησαν which are translated as was, there was. but which tense is this? is this the past (latin fuit) or the imperfect (Latin erat), (both of which are translated as was) ? do the greeks distinguish between them at all?

thanks

[Gonzalo]

Tertius Robertus, ἦσαν is an imperfect indicative (third plural person) tense of εἰμὶ. It's what I know, it is translated like "they were".
In principio erat verbum.
á¼￾ν αÏ￾χή ἦν á½￾ Λόγος

[Tertius Robertus]

thanks!

[modus.irrealis]

do the greeks distinguish between them at all?

No, in the sense that ειμι has neither aorist nor perfect forms. But there are other verbs like γίγνομαι whose meaning comes close to fuit.

[Tertius Robertus]

gratias, mode!