Πάλι δεν καταλαβαίνω τίποτα.

not

Breakdown of Πάλι δεν καταλαβαίνω τίποτα.

• καταλαβαίνω: to understand
• τίποτα: anything
• πάλι: again

Questions & Answers about Πάλι δεν καταλαβαίνω τίποτα.

What does each word do in this sentence?

• Πάλι = again (adverb; often hints at repetition or mild annoyance)
• δεν = not (negation particle for the indicative)
• καταλαβαίνω = I understand (present tense, 1st person singular)
• τίποτα = anything/nothing (indefinite; under negation it means nothing)

Literal idea: Again not I-understand anything.

Is the double negative δεν … τίποτα normal in Greek?

Yes. Greek uses negative concord: δεν pairs with items like τίποτα, κανείς, ποτέ. Δεν καταλαβαίνω τίποτα means I do not understand anything. Without τίποτα, Δεν καταλαβαίνω just means I do not understand (unspecified). Do not use Δεν καταλαβαίνω κάτι if you mean not anything; that means there is something I do not understand.

Can I use καθόλου instead of τίποτα?

They express different nuances:

• Δεν καταλαβαίνω καθόλου = I do not understand at all (degree).
• Δεν καταλαβαίνω τίποτα = I do not understand anything (quantity). For strong emphasis you can say Δεν καταλαβαίνω τίποτα απολύτως (absolutely nothing). Avoid stacking τίποτα καθόλου.

Can I move πάλι to another position?