te

From Proto-Hellenic *kʷe, from Proto-Indo-European *-kʷe (“and”). Cognates include Mycenaean Greek 𐀤 (qe), Sanskrit च (ca), and Latin -que.

Pronunciation

[ more ▼] 

• IPA^(key): /te/ → /te/ → /te/

Particle

τε • (te)

1. (combined with καί) both

Conjunction

τε • (te)

1. and, also or untranslatable
   1. (after each item in a list) and [ quotations ▼]
   2. (combined with καί (kaí), untranslatable) [ quotations ▼]

Usage notes

τε (te) is usually considered to denote a weaker connection than καί (kaí). As an enclitic, it is placed after the word that it connects, or after the first word of a phrase that it connects:

• 800 BCE – 600 BCE, Homer, Iliad 1.7:

  [Ἀτρεΐδης τε ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν] καὶ [ δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς ]

• [Atreḯdēs te ánax andrôn] kaì [ dîos Akhilleús ]

  [the son of Atreus, lord of men,] and [noble Achilles]

Derived terms

• οἷός τέ εἰμι (hoîós té eimi, “be able”)