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Questions & Answers about Έρχομαι τώρα.
How do I pronounce the sentence?
- Έρχομαι: [ˈer.xo.me] — stress on the first syllable. The ρ is a tap [ɾ], the χ is a harsh h sound (like German Bach), and the ending -μαι sounds like [me], not like “my.”
- τώρα: [ˈto.ra] — stress on the first syllable; the ρ is a tap [ɾ].
What does the letter χ sound like here?
In έρχομαι, χ is , like the ch in Scottish “loch.” General rule: before a, o, u it’s ; before front vowels (e, i sounds) it softens to [ç] (like German “ich”).
What does the ending -μαι mean, and how do I say it?
- Meaning: It’s the 1st person singular present ending of the middle/passive voice.
- Sound: It’s pronounced [me] (like “meh”), not “mai.”
- Many common verbs use this ending with active meaning, e.g., κοιμάμαι (I sleep).
Is έρχομαι reflexive or passive?
No. Έρχομαι is a deponent verb: it looks middle/passive but has active meaning (“I come”). There is no separate active present form in modern Greek.
Do I need to say Εγώ?
No. Greek drops subject pronouns because the verb ending already shows the person. Εγώ έρχομαι τώρα is used only for emphasis or contrast (e.g., “I am the one coming now”).
Can I say Τώρα έρχομαι instead of Έρχομαι τώρα?
Yes. Both are correct. Τώρα έρχομαι puts extra emphasis on the time word “now,” while Έρχομαι τώρα is neutral/informational.
Does τώρα literally mean “right this second,” or can it mean “soon”?
Context matters. Τώρα can mean “right now,” but in casual speech it can stretch to “in a moment/soon.” Expressions like τώρα σε λίγο or tone of voice can signal “soon” rather than “this instant.”
How do I say a stronger “right away”?
Use αμέσως: Έρχομαι αμέσως (“I’m coming immediately”). You can also intensify with τώρα αμέσως.
How would I respond quickly to someone calling me, like “Coming!”?
Say Έρχομαι! or Έρχομαι τώρα! Often with an exclamatory tone.
What’s the imperative “Come!”?
Use Έλα! (singular) and Ελάτε! (plural/polite). You don’t use an imperative form of έρχομαι; you switch to έλα/ελάτε.
What are the main forms of this verb I should know?
- Present: έρχομαι (I am coming)
- Aorist (simple past): ήρθα (I came)
- Imperfect (was coming): ερχόμουν(α)
- Future simple: θα έρθω (I will come, one time)
- Future continuous: θα έρχομαι (I will be coming/used to come)
- Perfect: έχω έρθει (I have come)
- Subjunctive (perfective): να έρθω (to come)
How do I ask “Should I come now?”
Use the subjunctive: Να έρθω τώρα; This is the natural way to offer/ask for permission or suggestion. Έρχομαι τώρα; as a question is unusual unless you’re literally checking your own schedule (“Am I coming now?”).
How do I ask “Are you coming now?”
- Present: Έρχεσαι τώρα; (Are you coming now?)
- Future (near-term intent): Θα έρθεις τώρα; (Will you come now?)
How do I negate it?
- Δεν έρχομαι τώρα. (I’m not coming now.)
- Δεν θα έρθω τώρα. (I won’t come now.)
The first denies the present action; the second denies a future action.
What’s the difference between έρχομαι and πάω/πηγαίνω?
- Έρχομαι = come (movement toward the speaker or listener/meeting point).
- Πάω/πηγαίνω = go (movement away from the reference point).
On the phone, going to the other person is usually έρχομαι: Έρχομαι τώρα.
Any spelling pitfalls in Έρχομαι τώρα?
- Keep the accent: Έρχομαι (not Ερχομαι), τώρα (not τωρα).
- The ending is -ομαι with omicron, not omega.
- -μαι is part of the same word (no space).
- In ALL CAPS, modern Greek often drops accents, but in normal text you should include them.
How do questions look in Greek punctuation?
Greek uses a semicolon (;) as the question mark: Έρχεσαι τώρα;
Your sentence is a statement, so it ends with a period: Έρχομαι τώρα.
How do I say where I’m coming to or from?
- To: Έρχομαι σπίτι. / Έρχομαι στο γραφείο. (I’m coming home/to the office.)
- From: Έρχομαι από το σχολείο. (I’m coming from school.)
- Toward someone: Έρχομαι σε εσένα. is possible, but more common is to imply it: Έρχομαι τώρα. (context shows “to you”).