Πότε πάμε;

to go

Breakdown of Πότε πάμε;

• πότε: when

Questions & Answers about Πότε πάμε;

How do you pronounce Πότε πάμε;

Póte páme? IPA: [ˈpote ˈpame]. Stress the first syllable of both words. Each e sounds like the e in bed; consonants p/t are unaspirated (no puff of air).

Why is there a semicolon at the end?

In Greek, the semicolon (;) is the question mark. So Πότε πάμε; is the correct way to write a question.

Where is the “we” in Greek? Why isn’t it written?

Greek usually drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the subject. The ending -με in πάμε means we. You can add εμείς for emphasis: Εμείς πότε πάμε; (We—when are we going?).

What does πάμε mean here exactly?

It’s the 1st person plural present of πάω (to go): we go / we are going. In questions like this, the present often refers to a planned or near-future action: When are we going?

Can I say Πότε θα πάμε; instead? Is there a difference?

Yes. Πότε θα πάμε; (When will we go?) is equally natural and a bit more “future-looking.” Πότε πάμε; often implies there’s already some plan/schedule, but in everyday speech they’re largely interchangeable.

What’s the difference between πάμε and πηγαίνουμε?

Both mean we go.

• πάμε is the everyday, most common choice in speech.
• πηγαίνουμε is slightly more formal or can sound more habitual.
  Example: Πότε πηγαίνουμε γυμναστήριο; can mean What days/times do we (usually) go to the gym?

Does πάμε by itself mean Let’s go?

Yes. Πάμε; can be an invitation/suggestion: Shall we go?/Let’s go. With πότε (When), Πότε πάμε; is a literal time question, not a suggestion.

What’s the difference between πότε and ποτέ? They look similar.

• πότε (accent on the first syllable) = when (question word).
• ποτέ (accent on the second syllable) = never (or ever in questions/negatives).
  Examples: Πότε πάμε; When are we going? / Δεν πάω ποτέ. I never go.

How is πότε different from όταν and όποτε?

• πότε asks a question: When?
• όταν means when in statements: Όταν τελειώσω, πάμε. When I finish, we’ll go.
• όποτε means whenever: Όποτε θες, πάμε. Whenever you want, we’ll go.

Can πότε go later in the sentence? Is Πάμε πότε; okay?

Question words usually come first. Πάμε πότε; is not idiomatic. Acceptable variations keep πότε near the front or after a topic: Πότε πάμε; / Εμείς πότε πάμε; / Πότε πάμε εμείς;

Could I use other verbs like φεύγουμε or ξεκινάμε?

Yes, for nuance:

• Πότε φεύγουμε; When are we leaving?
• Πότε ξεκινάμε; When do we start/set off?
  They can be more specific than generic πάμε.

How would someone typically answer Πότε πάμε;

Common patterns:

• A time: Στις πέντε. At five.
• A day/date: Αύριο. / Τη Δευτέρα. Tomorrow. / On Monday.
• A duration: Σε μία ώρα. In an hour.
• A condition: Όταν τελειώσω. When I finish.
  (For future conditions, Greek often uses όταν
  • aorist subjunctive: Όταν τελειώσω.)

What are the present-tense forms of πάω?

• πάω (I go)
• πας (you go)
• πάει (he/she/it goes)
• πάμε (we go)
• πάτε (you pl./formal go)
• πάνε (they go)

How can I make the question more polite or make it a suggestion?

• Polite/softened: Πότε θα θέλατε να πάμε; When would you like us to go?
• Asking for advice: Πότε να πάμε; When should we go?
• Indirect/polite: Πότε λέτε να πάμε; When do you think we should go?