Θα έρθω μετά.

I will come later.

Breakdown of Θα έρθω μετά.

• μετά: later
• έρχομαι: to come
• θα: will

Questions & Answers about Θα έρθω μετά.

What does the particle θα do in this sentence?

Θα is the Greek future particle, roughly like English “will.” It combines with a verb in the subjunctive form to express future time. So Θα έρθω = “I will come.”

Why is it έρθω and not έρχω or έρχομαι?

The verb is έρχομαι (to come). Greek future is formed with θα + subjunctive, and the perfective subjunctive of έρχομαι is έρθω. So:

• Present: έρχομαι (I am coming)
• Aorist (simple past): ήρθα (I came)
• Subjunctive: να έρθω (that/so that I come)
• Future (perfective): θα έρθω (I will come, once)

What’s the difference between θα έρθω and θα έρχομαι?

• Θα έρθω (perfective) = a single, complete coming at some point (“I’ll come [once]”).
• Θα έρχομαι (imperfective) = ongoing or habitual future (“I’ll be coming / I will come regularly”).
  Example: Αύριο θα έρθω (I’ll come tomorrow, one time) vs Κάθε Δευτέρα θα έρχομαι (I’ll come every Monday).

Can I move μετά to a different place in the sentence?

Yes. Both are natural:

• Θα έρθω μετά.
• Μετά θα έρθω. (puts more emphasis on “later, not now”)
  Avoid splitting θα from the verb with μετά: ✗ Θα μετά έρθω (unnatural).

Is μετά the same as “after” and “later”? When do I need μετά από?

• Μετά by itself = “later/afterwards.”
• To say “after + noun/time,” use μετά από + accusative:
  • Μετά από λίγο = after a while
  • Μετά από σένα/εσένα = after you
  • Μετά τις 5 = after 5 o’clock
    You can also place the time first: Λίγο μετά, Μετά τις 5 θα έρθω.

Are there synonyms for μετά?

Common options:

• αργότερα = later (very common)
• ύστερα = afterwards (a bit more narrative/colloquial depending on region)
• σε λίγο = in a bit/soon
  All work in this sentence: Θα έρθω αργότερα/ύστερα/σε λίγο.

Is the contraction Θα ’ρθω μετά acceptable?

Yes. In speech and informal writing, Θα ’ρθω (dropping the initial ε-) is very common. Spelling notes:

• Standard: Θα ’ρθω
• You’ll also see Θα ρθω (without the apostrophe) in casual writing.
  Meaning is the same as Θα έρθω.

How do I pronounce Θα έρθω μετά?

• Θ = voiceless “th” as in “think,” not “this.”
• ρ is a tapped/trilled r.
• ρθ is pronounced as a cluster: r + th.
• Stress: Έρθω is stressed on the first syllable (ÉR-tho), μετά on the last (me-TÁ).
  Approximation: [tha ÉR-tho me-TÁ].

How do I make it negative: “I won’t come later”?

Use δεν/δε before θα:

• Δεν θα έρθω μετά.
• Δε θα έρθω μετά.
  Both are fine. In speech, the final -ν of δεν often drops before θ.

How do I change the subject (he, we, they will come later)?

Use the corresponding forms of έρθ-:

• I: Θα έρθω μετά.
• You (sg): Θα έρθεις μετά.
• He/She/It: Θα έρθει μετά.
• We: Θα έρθουμε μετά.
• You (pl): Θα έρθετε μετά.
• They: Θα έρθουν(ε) μετά.

How do I ask “Shall I come later?” or “Do you want me to come later?”

Use να for proposals/offers:

• Να έρθω μετά; = Shall I come later?
• More explicit: Θέλεις/Θέλετε να έρθω μετά; = Do you want me to come later?

Can I use the present for a near-future plan instead of θα?

Yes, for arrangements happening soon:

• Έρχομαι σε λίγο. = I’m coming in a bit.
• Έρχομαι αργότερα. = I’m coming later.
  This sounds like a plan already in place. Θα έρθω is a neutral promise/decision about the future.

Is there a very formal way to say this?

You may see Θα έλθω (with λ) in very formal or old-fashioned language. In everyday modern Greek, Θα έρθω is the normal form.