Learn Hardcore Greek: Εσείς μιλάτε γρήγορα, αλλά η φίλη σας μιλάει αργά. - You speak fast, but your polite friend speaks slowly.

Greek normally drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the person. Εσείς is included for emphasis/contrast: “YOU speak fast, but your friend speaks slowly.” Without emphasis you could say: Μιλάτε γρήγορα, αλλά η φίλη σας μιλάει αργά.

Does μιλάτε mean “you (plural) speak” or “you (formal singular) speak”?

Both. Μιλάτε is 2nd person plural but it’s also used for polite/formal singular address. The σας in η φίλη σας is likewise either plural “your” or formal “your” (singular), so context decides.

What’s the difference between μιλάτε and μιλάς?

They are different persons of the same verb: μιλάς = you (singular, informal) speak; μιλάτε = you (plural or formal singular) speak. Mini-pattern for the verb μιλάω/μιλώ (present):

1sg: μιλάω/μιλώ
2sg: μιλάς
3sg: μιλάει/μιλά
1pl: μιλάμε (also μιλούμε)
2pl: μιλάτε
3pl: μιλάνε/μιλούν(ε)

Why is it μιλάει? Can I write μιλά instead?

Yes. Both μιλάει and μιλά are standard 3rd person singular forms; μιλάει is slightly more colloquial, μιλά a bit more concise. The very formal/older μιλεί exists but isn’t common in everyday speech.

Where do adverbs like γρήγορα and αργά go in the sentence?

They typically go after the verb: μιλάτε γρήγορα, μιλάει αργά. You can add degree words before them: πολύ γρήγορα, πιο αργά. Position can change for emphasis, but this neutral placement is safest.

How do I say “more slowly” and “too fast” correctly?

“More slowly”: πιο αργά (not αργότερα, which means “later (in time)”).
“Too fast/very fast”: πολύ γρήγορα or stronger πάρα πολύ γρήγορα.

Why is there an article η before φίλη?

Greek typically uses the definite article with specific nouns: η φίλη σας = “your (specific) friend.” Without the article it sounds incomplete. If you mean “a friend of yours,” use μια φίλη σας.

What does σας in η φίλη σας do exactly?

It’s the unstressed possessive clitic “your.” In Greek, possessive clitics follow the noun: η φίλη σας. It marks the owner (you plural/formal), not the noun’s gender/number, so it stays σας regardless of whether it’s ο φίλος, η φίλη, or το παιδί.

Can I put “your” before the noun, like English?

Not with the clitic. The normal order is noun + possessive clitic: η φίλη σας. For emphasis you can use the emphatic possessive with δικός/δική/δικό: η δική σας φίλη = “your friend (as opposed to someone else’s).”

Could I use λέτε instead of μιλάτε?

No. Λέω = “say/tell,” while μιλάω/μιλώ = “speak.” For speed of speaking, use μιλάω/μιλώ: Μιλάτε γρήγορα, not Λέτε γρήγορα.

Why is there a comma before αλλά?

Greek usually puts a comma before αλλά (“but”). You could also use μα (more colloquial) or όμως (“however”) with similar meaning: …, μα … / …, όμως ….

Is Εσείς capitalized for politeness?

No. It’s capitalized only because it starts the sentence. Greek doesn’t capitalize pronouns for politeness (though you might see it in formal letters). Mid-sentence it’s εσείς.

Is μιλάτε here indicative or imperative?

Here it’s indicative (“you speak”). The present 2nd-person plural imperative looks the same (Μιλάτε πιο αργά! “Keep speaking more slowly!”). For a common polite request, many prefer the aorist imperative: Μιλήστε πιο αργά, παρακαλώ.

Can I drop the subject pronoun and also move things around?

Yes. Neutral: Μιλάτε γρήγορα, αλλά η φίλη σας μιλάει αργά. With emphasis you can do: Εσείς μιλάτε γρήγορα, αλλά η φίλη σας μιλάει αργά (emphasizes “you”), or even Μιλάει αργά η φίλη σας (emphasis on “speaks slowly”).

How do I pronounce the tricky bits?

μιλάτε: mi-LA-te
μιλάει: mi-LA-ee (two syllables)
γρήγορα: GHREE-go-ra (soft g as in “γκαράζ”)
αργά: ar-GA (gh as in “agh”)
αλλά: a-LA (double λ is not lengthened)

Any spelling pitfalls here?

The article η (feminine “the”) has no accent; ή with an accent means “or.”
αλλά has double λ.
γρήγορα uses η for the “i” sound; Greek has several letters/digraphs for that sound (η, ι, υ, ει, οι).