Στοιβάζω χαρτοκιβώτια.

I stack cardboard boxes.

Breakdown of Στοιβάζω χαρτοκιβώτια.

• στοιβάζω: to stack
• το χαρτοκιβώτιο: the cardboard box

Questions & Answers about Στοιβάζω χαρτοκιβώτια.

What does στοιβάζω mean grammatically? What does the -ω ending tell me?

Στοιβάζω is the 1st person singular present form of the verb. The ending -ω here tells you the subject is I.

So the verb form itself already includes the subject:

• στοιβάζω = I stack / I am stacking

This is why Greek does not need a separate word for I unless the speaker wants emphasis:

• Εγώ στοιβάζω = I stack (with extra emphasis on I)

Why is there no word for I in the sentence?

Greek often leaves out subject pronouns because the verb ending already shows who the subject is.

So:

• Στοιβάζω χαρτοκιβώτια.

naturally means:

• I stack boxes
• I am stacking boxes

Adding εγώ is possible, but it usually adds emphasis or contrast:

• Εγώ στοιβάζω χαρτοκιβώτια, όχι αυτός.
• I’m stacking boxes, not him.

Is στοιβάζω present simple or present continuous?

In Greek, the present tense can cover both ideas, depending on context.

So στοιβάζω can mean:

• I stack
• I am stacking

The Greek present tense is imperfective, so it can describe:

• a repeated action
• a habitual action
• an action happening now

Context tells you which English translation fits best.