Απάντησε με καλοσύνη.

Απάντησε is the imperative form of the verb απαντώ, which means to answer / to reply.

So Απάντησε means:

• Answer
• Reply

It is directed at one person in the informal singular sense, like speaking to you (singular).

That -σε ending is typical of the aorist imperative for many Greek verbs.

Here is the pattern:

• απαντώ = I answer / I am answering
• απάντησα = I answered
• απάντησε = answer! / reply!

So the imperative is built from the verb’s aorist stem, not from the present tense form.

This can feel strange to English speakers, because English just uses the plain verb (answer!), while Greek often distinguishes between:

• present imperative: more ongoing / repeated
• aorist imperative: more single, complete action

In this sentence, Απάντησε sounds natural for give an answer / reply.

Greek often uses the aorist imperative when the speaker is asking for one complete action.

So:

• Απάντησε = Reply / Give an answer
• Απάντα = more like Keep answering / Answer in general / Answer regularly

In many everyday situations, the aorist imperative is the more natural choice when someone wants a single response.

So in Απάντησε με καλοσύνη, the idea is roughly:

• Reply kindly
• Give your answer with kindness

Literally, με καλοσύνη means with kindness.

Breaking it down:

• με = with
• καλοσύνη = kindness

So the whole phrase means something like:

• with kindness
• kindly
• in a kind way

It functions like an adverbial phrase, describing how the person should reply.

Greek can often express manner in more than one way.

In English, we might prefer an adverb like kindly, but Greek very naturally uses a prepositional phrase:

• με καλοσύνη = with kindness

This is very common in Greek. It is often more natural than trying to force a direct adverb equivalent.

So even though English says Reply kindly, Greek may prefer something structurally closer to Reply with kindness.

Because Greek often omits the article with an abstract noun in a phrase like this.

So:

• με καλοσύνη = with kindness

If you added the article:

• με την καλοσύνη

that would usually sound more specific, like with the kindness or with that kindness, which is not the intended meaning here.

Without the article, it sounds general and natural.

After με, Greek uses the accusative case.

So:

• με
  • accusative

Here, καλοσύνη is the accusative form.

For this noun, the nominative and accusative singular happen to look the same:

• nominative: η καλοσύνη
• accusative: την καλοσύνη

Without the article, you just see καλοσύνη.

It is informal singular.

That means you say Απάντησε when speaking to:

• one person
• in an informal way

If you want to speak to:

• more than one person, or
• one person formally

you would normally use:

• Απαντήστε με καλοσύνη.

So Greek uses the same plural/formal imperative form in the way many European languages do.

It depends on context.

Imperatives in Greek, just like in English, can sound:

• neutral,
• direct,
• firm,
• or rude,

depending on tone and situation.

But με καλοσύνη softens it, because it explicitly asks for kindness.

Still, if you want to sound more polite, Greek often adds expressions such as:

• Παρακαλώ, απάντησε με καλοσύνη.
• Παρακαλώ, απαντήστε με καλοσύνη.

Or even softer:

• Θα μπορούσατε να απαντήσετε με καλοσύνη;
  = Could you answer kindly?

So the bare imperative is not automatically rude, but it is more direct.

A simple pronunciation guide is:

• Απάντησε → a-PAN-ti-se
• με → meh
• καλοσύνη → ka-lo-SI-ni

The stressed syllables are marked by the written accents:

• απάντησε
• καλοσύνη

So the rhythm is roughly:

a-PAN-ti-se meh ka-lo-SI-ni

Yes. Greek word order is more flexible than English word order.

The neutral order here is:

• Απάντησε με καλοσύνη.

But Greek could also move things around for emphasis, for example:

• Με καλοσύνη απάντησε.

That might put more focus on with kindness.

Still, the original order is the most straightforward and natural for a learner to use.

The dictionary form is:

• καλοσύνη (feminine noun)

It means:

• kindness
• goodness

You may also see it with the article:

• η καλοσύνη = kindness

So if you look it up in a dictionary, that is the form you want.

Not exactly, though it can be close in some contexts.

• καλοσύνη is specifically about kindness
• politely would be more about ευγένεια or courtesy

So:

• Απάντησε με καλοσύνη = Answer kindly / Reply with kindness
• Απάντησε με ευγένεια = Answer politely / Reply courteously

Sometimes those ideas overlap, but they are not identical.

The plural/formal version is:

• Απαντήστε με καλοσύνη.

This can mean either:

• Reply kindly to several people, or
• Reply kindly to one person in a formal/polite way

So the contrast is:

• Απάντησε = singular informal
• Απαντήστε = plural or formal singular

Yes, it is understandable and natural Greek.

That said, depending on context, a native speaker might also choose other expressions, such as:

• Μίλα με καλοσύνη. = Speak with kindness.
• Απάντησε ευγενικά. = Reply politely.
• Να απαντήσεις με καλοσύνη. = You should reply kindly.

So Απάντησε με καλοσύνη is good Greek, but the exact wording can vary depending on tone and situation.