προχωρώ (to proceed/move on)

προχωρώ moves forward on three connected planes: through physical space, through the steps of a route, and through the stages of work, a relationship, or an argument. English splits this range among advance, go ahead, proceed, and make progress; Greek keeps it under one verb. It also wavers between everyday Class Β1 endings and a more formal Β2 set.

Principal parts

SlotFormNote
Presentπροχωρώ / προχωράωtwo live sets; see below
Imperfectπροχωρούσα
Aoristπροχώρησα×προχώρισα does not exist
Dependentπροχωρήσωθα / να + perfective
Imperativeπροχώρα / προχωρήστεimperfective singular / perfective plural
Perfectέχω προχωρήσει
Finite mediopassivedoes not existno προχωριέμαι or προχωρούμαι in the standard paradigm
Participleπροχωρημένοςadvanced; fully current
RegisterPresent forms
everyday (informal)προχωρώ / προχωράω, προχωράς, προχωράει, προχωράμε, προχωράτε, προχωράνε
(formal)προχωρώ, προχωρείς, προχωρεί, προχωρούμε, προχωρείτε, προχωρούν

Both rows are standard. The page on the Β2 active present presents the formal half as its model; this card supplies the everyday προχωράς / προχωράει / προχωράμε half. The broader fork is explained under Class Β subtypes.

Three planes of meaning

For literal motion, προχωρώ means advance rather than merely go. It often adds a direction or distance.

Προχώρα δύο βήματα μπροστά για να χωρέσουμε όλοι στη φωτογραφία.

prochóra dhío vímata brostá ya na chorésume óli sti fotoghrafía

Move two steps forward so we can all fit in the photo.

For route instructions, the polite plural is common even when speaking to one stranger.

Προχωρήστε ευθεία και μετά στρίψτε δεξιά στο φανάρι.

prochoríste efthía ke metá strípste dheksiá sto fanári

Go straight ahead and then turn right at the traffic light.

Abstract subjects can advance by themselves; this is the ordinary verb for a project making progress.

Η δουλειά προχωράει καλά, αλλά χρειαζόμαστε άλλη μία εβδομάδα.

i dhuliá prochorái kalá, alá chriazómaste áli mía evdhomádha

The work is progressing well, but we need another week.

Η διαπραγμάτευση προχωρεί με αργούς ρυθμούς.

i dhiapraghmátefsi prochorí me arghús rithmús

The negotiation is proceeding slowly. (formal)

Η σχέση τους προχώρησε πολύ γρήγορα.

i schési tus prochórise polí ghríghora

Their relationship moved forward very quickly.

💡
προχωρώ focuses on advancement or the next stage. συνεχίζω focuses on keeping the same activity going. “Let's move to the next topic” is προχωράμε; “let's continue this discussion” is συνεχίζουμε.

Government

The verb is usually intransitive. σε + accusative marks a point, field, or next action; προς marks direction; μέχρι marks an endpoint. In institutional language, προχωρώ σε + action noun means “proceed to.” A direct object is possible when someone actively pushes a case, project, or text forward.

Προχωράμε στο επόμενο θέμα γιατί ο χρόνος πιέζει.

prochoráme sto epómeno théma yatí o chrónos piézi

We're moving on to the next item because time is short.

Ο σύλλογος προχώρησε σε επίσημη καταγγελία.

o síloghos prochórise se epísimi katangelía

The association proceeded with a formal complaint. (formal)

Πρέπει να προχωρήσουμε την υπόθεση πριν κλείσουν τα γραφεία.

prépi na prochorísume tin ipóthesi prin klísun ta ghrafía

We need to move the case forward before the offices close.

The participle

προχωρημένος is the one live mediopassive form and must not be mistaken for a finite passive paradigm. It labels levels and also means advanced in time, age, illness, technique, or ideas.

Γράφτηκε σε τμήμα προχωρημένου επιπέδου.

ghráftike se tmíma prochoriménu epipédhu

She enrolled in an advanced-level class.

💡
προχωρημένος is a real participle that has become a common level adjective. Its existence does not create a finite passive: Greek has no standard προχωριέμαι paradigm.

Set phrases

Προχώρα! “Go on!”; προχωρημένη ώρα “late hour”; ένα βήμα παραπέρα “one step further”; δεν προχωράει η δουλειά “the work is not moving”; τα πράγματα προχώρησαν γρήγορα “things moved quickly.”

Common Mistakes

The aorist is προχώρησα, not ×προχώρισα. Do not “correct” everyday προχωράς to formal προχωρείς, or vice versa: both sets are real. Use συνεχίζω when the point is continuing the same activity rather than advancing.

Key Takeaways

  • Both προχωράς (everyday) and προχωρείς (formal) belong to προχωρώ.
  • Principal parts: προχωρώ · προχωρούσα · προχώρησα · προχωρήσω · προχώρα / προχωρήστε.
  • The verb covers physical advance, route instructions, and abstract progress.
  • There is no finite mediopassive, but προχωρημένος is a fully live participle.

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Related Topics

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