Σε παρακαλώ, μίλα πιο αργά.

to speak

Breakdown of Σε παρακαλώ, μίλα πιο αργά.

• πιο: more
• αργά: slowly
• σε παρακαλώ: please

Questions & Answers about Σε παρακαλώ, μίλα πιο αργά.

What does each word literally mean and how is the sentence built?

• Σε: you (object/clitic pronoun, accusative singular)
• παρακαλώ: I beg/please (1st person singular, used idiomatically as “please”)
• μίλα: speak (2nd person singular, present imperative of μιλάω/μιλώ “to speak”)
• πιο: more (comparative particle)
• αργά: slowly; also “late” in time, depending on context

So it’s literally “I beg you, speak more slowly.”

Is using the imperative here polite in Greek?

Yes. Adding Σε παρακαλώ softens it and makes it polite. For extra politeness or formality, many speakers prefer a question:

• Informal singular: Μπορείς να μιλάς λίγο πιο αργά;
• Formal/plural: Μπορείτε να μιλάτε λίγο πιο αργά; or Θα μπορούσατε να μιλάτε λίγο πιο αργά; You can also keep the imperative in formal speech: Σας παρακαλώ, μιλήστε/μιλάτε πιο αργά.

What’s the difference between μίλα, μιλήσε/μιλήστε, and μιλάτε?

• μίλα: present imperative, singular → “keep speaking (more slowly).” Ongoing process.
• μιλήσε (correctly spelled μίλησε) / μιλήστε: aorist imperative, sing./pl. → “speak (this time) more slowly,” often used for a single or bounded action. In practice, μιλήστε is very common in polite requests.
• μιλάτε: present imperative, plural (also the present indicative “you [plural/formal] speak”). As an imperative, it means “keep speaking (more slowly).” Both μιλάτε and μιλήστε are heard; the former stresses ongoing action, the latter a single action.

Why is it μίλα and not μιλά or μιλάς?

Because μίλα is the 2nd person singular imperative (“speak!”).

• μιλά is 3rd person singular indicative (“he/she/it speaks”).
• μιλάς is 2nd person singular indicative (“you speak”).
  Imperatives don’t take the -ς ending.

Can I say just Παρακαλώ instead of Σε παρακαλώ?

Yes. Παρακαλώ alone works like “please” and is a bit more neutral/impersonal. Σε παρακαλώ is more personal (literally “I beg you”). For formal/plural, use Σας παρακαλώ.

Where can I put Σε παρακαλώ and do I need the comma?

You can place it at the start, middle, or end:

• Σε παρακαλώ, μίλα πιο αργά.
• Μίλα, σε παρακαλώ, πιο αργά.
• Μίλα πιο αργά, σε παρακαλώ. A comma is customary when (Σε) παρακαλώ is used parenthetically.

What does πιο do here? Can I use περισσότερο instead?

πιο makes a comparative (“more”): πιο αργά = “more slowly.” With adjectives/adverbs, πιο is the default. περισσότερο also means “more,” but using it with manner adverbs like αργά is uncommon; prefer πιο. You can intensify with λίγο/πολύ: λίγο πιο αργά, πολύ πιο αργά.

Is πιο the same as ποιο?

No:

• πιο = “more” (comparative particle), as in πιο αργά.
• ποιο = “which/what” (neuter of the interrogative ποιος), as in ποιο βιβλίο; They’re pronounced the same, but spelled and used differently. Here it must be πιο.

Does αργά also mean “late”? Could πιο αργά be “later” here?

αργά can mean “slowly” or “late.” πιο αργά can mean “more slowly” or “later,” depending on context. With a verb of speaking plus πιο αργά, it’s naturally “more slowly.” For “later,” Greek typically uses αργότερα: Θα μιλήσουμε αργότερα = “We’ll talk later.”

Can I use σιγά instead of αργά?

Not for speed. σιγά means “quietly/softly” (volume), so Μίλα πιο σιγά = “Speak more quietly.” For speed, use αργά. Note: σιγά σιγά means “slowly/gradually” in general contexts, but with “speaking” you still say αργά for slower speed.

How do I address one person vs several people or be formal?

• One person (informal): Σε παρακαλώ, μίλα πιο αργά.
• Several people or formal: Σας παρακαλώ, μιλήστε/μιλάτε πιο αργά. Question forms: Μπορείς να μιλάς…? (sing.) / Μπορείτε να μιλάτε…? (pl./formal).

How would I say “Please say it again, a bit more slowly”?

• Informal: Πες το ξανά, λίγο πιο αργά, σε παρακαλώ.
• Formal/plural: Πείτε το ξανά, λίγο πιο αργά, σας παρακαλώ. Also common: Μπορείς/Μπορείτε να το επαναλάβεις/επαναλάβετε λίγο πιο αργά;

Why does παρακαλώ also mean “you’re welcome”?

In Greek, παρακαλώ functions both as “please” and as the standard response to ευχαριστώ (“thank you”). Context (request vs reply) makes the meaning clear.

Any quick pronunciation tips for the tricky parts?

• πιο sounds like “pyo.”
• αργά: the γ is a voiced fricative (like a softer “gh”): ar-GHA.
• μίλα: “MEE-la,” with stress on the first syllable.
• παρακαλώ: stress on the last syllable: pa-ra-ka-LO.

What are common mistakes to avoid with this sentence?

• Writing ποιο αργά instead of πιο αργά.
• Using μιλά or μιλάς instead of the imperative μίλα.
• Saying σιγά when you mean “slowly” (speed) rather than “quietly” (volume).