Learn Hardcore Greek: Το παιδί μιλάει με πολλούς ανθρώπους.

It is present tense and can mean both ongoing action and habitual action. So it can be understood as either “is talking” or “talks,” depending on context.

What’s the difference between μιλάει and μιλά?

Both are correct 3rd person singular forms of the verb “to speak/talk” (μιλάω/μιλώ). Μιλάει is the fuller form and is very common in speech; μιλά is the contracted form and is common in both speech and writing. No difference in meaning.

How do you pronounce μιλάει?

As two syllables: mi-LA-ee (μι-λά-ει). Don’t read it like English “mile.” Here, the -ει sounds like “ee,” so you hear “la-ee.”

Why is the preposition με used here? Could I use σε instead?

με = “with,” and with verbs like “talk,” it usually implies a two-way conversation (“talk with”).
σε = “to,” which emphasizes direction or addressing someone (“speak to”). Both are idiomatic: μιλάει με πολλούς ανθρώπους (talks with) vs μιλάει σε πολλούς ανθρώπους (speaks to).

Which case is πολλούς ανθρώπους, and why?