Learn Hardcore Greek: Πάμε μαζί με τη φίλη μου τώρα; - Are we going together with my friend female now?

Πάμε is the 1st person plural of πάω/πηγαίνω (“to go”). In questions like this, it commonly means “Shall we go?” or “Are we going?”. In conversation it often functions as a friendly suggestion: “Let’s go?”

Why does the sentence use a semicolon (;) for a question?

In Greek, the semicolon (;) is the question mark. So ; in Greek equals ? in English.

Why do we have both μαζί and με? Isn’t that redundant?

Not redundant.

με = “with”
μαζί = “together”
μαζί με = “together with,” a very common collocation that emphasizes going/doing something together as a group.
You could say just με τη φίλη μου (“with my friend”), but μαζί με is idiomatic and a bit clearer/emphatic about togetherness.

Could I say just Πάμε μαζί; or just Πάμε με τη φίλη μου;?

Πάμε μαζί; = “Shall we go together?” (no mention of who the other person is)
Πάμε με τη φίλη μου; = “Shall we go with my friend?” (accompaniment is clear; many speakers would still prefer μαζί με here for emphasis).

Why is it τη φίλη and not την φίλη?

The feminine accusative article is την, but Greek often drops the final -ν before most consonants. Standard rule: keep the -ν before vowels and the consonants κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ, γκ, μπ, ντ, τσ, τζ (and often at a pause); otherwise, you can drop it. Since φ isn’t in that set, you can write/say τη φίλη. Many people still say/write την more often in casual speech.

What case is τη φίλη and why?

Accusative. The preposition με (“with”) governs the accusative case, so you get (την/τη) φίλη.

Why does the possessive μου come after the noun? Can I put it before?

In Greek, unstressed possessives are enclitics placed after the noun:

article + noun + possessive: η φίλη μου, τη φίλη μου (“my friend”).
You don’t put μου before the noun. Also, Greek usually keeps the definite article with possessives.

Do I always need the article with a possessive?

In normal statements, yes: article + noun + possessive is the default (e.g., το βιβλίο μου). Omitting the article is possible in special/vocative or stylistic contexts (e.g., Φίλη μου, ... when addressing someone).

Does η/τη φίλη μου mean “my girlfriend”?

Not necessarily. η φίλη μου literally means “my female friend.” For “girlfriend,” Greek more often uses η κοπέλα μου or η σχέση μου. Context can make φίλη sound romantic, but by default it’s “friend.”

How do you pronounce the whole sentence?

Approximate: “PA-me ma-ZEE me tee FEE-lee moo TO-ra?”
IPA: [ˈpame maˈzi me ti ˈfili mu ˈtora]
Notes: η/ι/οι/υ/ει can all sound like [i]. So τη and φίλη both have [i].

What’s the difference between πάμε and πηγαίνουμε?

Both mean “we go,” but:

Πάμε is shorter, very common, and often used for suggestions (“Let’s go”).
Πηγαίνουμε is a bit more formal/literal “we are going/we go” and less natural for making a suggestion.

Could I say Να πάμε μαζί με τη φίλη μου τώρα;? What’s the nuance?

Yes. Να πάμε…; uses the particle να (subjunctive) to make a suggestion that often feels a touch more tentative or polite: “Shall we go…?” / “Should we go…?”

Can I move τώρα elsewhere? Does word order change the meaning?

Greek word order is flexible. All of these are fine:

Πάμε μαζί με τη φίλη μου τώρα;
Τώρα πάμε μαζί με τη φίλη μου;
Πάμε τώρα μαζί με τη φίλη μου; The differences are about emphasis (e.g., fronting Τώρα stresses “now”), not basic meaning.

Why is it τη φίλη (feminine)? How would it look for “my (male) friend”?

Because φίλη is feminine (“female friend”). For a male friend, use masculine forms:

nominative: ο φίλος μου
accusative (after με): usually written τον φίλο μου (some drop the -ν: το φίλο μου, but many keep it to avoid confusion with neuter το).

How would I say “Aren’t we going together with my friend now?” (negative question)

Δεν πάμε μαζί με τη φίλη μου τώρα;
Using δεν makes it a negative question, often expressing surprise/expectation.