Using words 'live' or 'stay' in conversation

Question

Γεια

When I have said in conversation that we lived in Pafos as opposed to stayed (say for a holiday) I always say           Μενούμε στην Πάφο για 3 χρονιά

However, I was told that to stay and to live are the same in Greek and therefore if I did not say 3 years how would you know which I meant? Also I was told that Ζούσαμε is also correct - but i have never heard  that said in Cyprus.

Finally - I get mixed up with τρία / τρις.

Which is used when please

Ευχαριστώ

Ιάκοβοσ

Answer 1

Γεια σου Ιάκοβε.

The phrases “ζω στην Ελλάδα” and “μένω στην Ελλάδα” are synonymes. They both mean “I live in Greece”.
If you refer to a small period of time (ex. holidays), you chose the verb “μένω” (= I stay), and not “ζω” (= I live).
Examples:
“Έμεινα δύο βδομάδες στην Αθήνα και ένα μήνα στο Παρίσι”. (= I stayed for two weeks in Athens and for one month in Paris).
But:
“Έζησα τρία χρόνια στο Λονδίνο.” ( = Ι lived in London for three years).
We also say “Πού μένεις;” and not “Πού ζεις;” when we want to ask someone's address.
Example:
   “Πού μένεις;”
   “Μένω στην Αθήνα, Πυθαγόρα 2.”
=  “Where do you live?”
    “I live in Athens, Pythagora 2.”

About τρία and τρεις:
They both mean “three”.
“τρία” is neutral, so it is followed by neutral nouns.
“τρεις” is masculine or feminine, so it is followed by  masculine or feminine nouns.
Example:
τρία βιβλία ( = three books)
τρεις καθηγητές (=  three male teachers)
τρεις καθηγήτριες (=  three  female teachers)