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Zo Conjugation

ζω (zo) means "to live" in Greek. Present: εγώ (egó) ζω (zo), εσύ (esí) ζεις (zis), αυτός/αυτή/αυτό (aftós/aftí/aftó) ζει (zi), εμείς (emís) ζούμε (zóume), εσείς (esís) ζείτε (zíte), αυτοί (aftí) ζουν (zoun). Below: all 17 tenses we teach, with examples.

Present Ενεστώτας

Stem + present endings. It covers both "I write" and "I am writing" (Greek has no separate present continuous). Also used for habits, general truths, and for scheduled future events.

Imperfect Παρατατικός

Past imperfective: augment ε- (when stressed) + present stem + past endings. Used for ongoing or repeated past actions, background description and habits ("used to").

Aorist (simple past) Αόριστος

Past perfective: augment + perfective stem + past endings. Used for a completed event or a sequence of events ("I wrote", "I finished"). The perfective stem often differs from the present stem (-ψ-, -σ-, -ξ-, -θ- or irregular).

Present perfect Παρακείμενος

έχω + the invariable verb form ending in -ει (the perfective "infinitive" form: γράψει, αγαπήσει). The ending never changes; only έχω is conjugated. Used for past actions with a link to now (eksperience, result, "so far").

Pluperfect Υπερσυντέλικος

είχα + the same invariable -ει form. Used for an action completed before another past moment ("had written").

Continuous future Εξακολουθητικός Μέλλοντας

θα + present (imperfective) form. For a future action that is repeated, ongoing or in progress at a given time.

Simple future Στιγμιαίος Μέλλοντας

θα + perfective (aorist-stem) form. For a single, completed future action ("I will write it tomorrow"); it is the default future in conversation.

Future perfect Συντελεσμένος Μέλλοντας

θα έχω + the invariable -ει form. For an action that will be complete by a future point, or to guess about the past ("he must have left").

Conditional (would) Δυνητικός (θα + Παρατατικός)

θα + imperfect. Means "would" for a present or unreal situation, a polite request or a repeated past habit ("would always").

Conditional perfect (would have) Δυνητικός (θα + Υπερσυντέλικος)

θα είχα + the invariable -ει form. Means "would have" for an unreal past situation; the "if" part uses the pluperfect (αν είχα...) or the aorist.

Imperfective subjunctive Υποτακτική του Ενεστώτα

να + present stem. For an ongoing, repeated or general action: "I want you to be writing / to write regularly".

Perfective subjunctive Υποτακτική του Αορίστου

να + perfective (aorist-stem) form. For a single, completed action; the most common subjunctive: "I want you to come", "I have to sign".

Perfect subjunctive Υποτακτική του Παρακειμένου

να έχω + the invariable -ει form. For an action that should be finished by a point: "I hope you have finished by then". Less common in speech.

Imperative, ongoing / repeated Προστακτική Ενεστώτα

Imperfective imperative: for habits and ongoing actions ("keep writing", "always drive carefully"). 2nd person has its own forms; other persons use ας + subjunctive (let him..., let's...).

Imperative, single action Προστακτική Αορίστου

Perfective imperative: for one concrete request ("write it now", "sign here"). The plural/polite form (-τε / -στε) is used with strangers and officials.

Negative imperative, ongoing Αρνητική Προστακτική (Ενεστώτα)

μη(ν) + present subjunctive form (the affirmative imperative is not used when negating). Forbids a habit or stops an action in progress.

Negative imperative, single action Αρνητική Προστακτική (Αορίστου)

μη(ν) + perfective subjunctive form. Warns against one specific action.

Examples

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