"Κρέας ή ψάρι;"

Translation: Meat or fish?

[JamesTWils]

What is she saying when one hovers over the η? It sounds something like η το τομους.

[troll1995]

She says ήττα τόνος which means "eeta with accent".

[AndyPyrope]

Thanks! I heard "η ποτόμοις" ("the drunk one" with bad grammar?) so I was very confused.

[PauloMuffato]

Yeah. Tonal η.

[greekcube]

How are we supposed to distinguish between ή and η in spoken language?

[troll1995]

ή is accented and the phrase is heard as "Κρέας ή ψάρι" whereas η is not and is actually heard as "Κρέας ηψάρι;" which would make no sense to say η ψάρι because ψαρι is neuter, but you get the point. ;)

[6tiri]

By guessing, depending on the context.

If it sounds like it's for a choice, it means "or."

If not, it means "the."

[jaye16]

{Please note this sentence has been edited and is now correct, many thanks to @Hafizen for the heads up.}

η meaning "the" and ή meaning or do sound the same. But in this sentence η cannot be used as "the* because it is feminine, not neuter which would have been necessary here.

So, these are not only tests of your listening skills but also of grammar.

And anyway: which makes more sense? "meat and fish" or "meat the fish'? (not that we don't have some odd sentences on Duo, I'll admit)

[Hafizen]

Pardon the correction, dear Jaye, but did you not mean to state the opposite in the first sentence? As in:

ή (with accent mark) means "or" and η (without accent mark) means "the" do sound the same.

Thanks!

[jaye16]

Wow, thanks so much. I've correct the error and hope it didn't cause anyone to get the wrong information. You are always so supportive and we are really grateful.