English Translation
Is her father alive?
Explanation
The particle άραγε adds uncertainty, curiosity, or emphasis—it signals that the speaker is wondering or seeking confirmation rather than stating a plain question.
- Without άραγε: “Είναι ο πατέρας της εν ζωή;” — straightforward yes/no question: “Is her father alive?”
- With άραγε: “Είναι άραγε ο πατέρας της εν ζωή;” — conveys mild surprise, doubt, or speculation, as if the speaker is asking hesitantly or pondering: “I wonder if her father is alive” / “Could her father possibly be alive?”
Nuance: άραγε often makes the tone softer and more inquisitive; it can imply the speaker lacks information and is considering possibilities. It’s common in both spoken and written Greek for rhetorical or genuinely curious questions.