Learn Hardcore Greek: Σήμερα δεν περπατάω, γιατί πήρα το λεωφορείο. - Today I am not walking, because I took the bus.

Greek often mixes a present (for a current state/decision) with a past aorist (for a completed action that explains it). Here, not walking is true now/today, and taking the bus happened earlier and is finished. Using the aorist πήρα is the normal way to express that completed event.

Could I say Σήμερα δεν περπάτησα instead of Σήμερα δεν περπατάω?

Yes, but it changes the nuance:

Δεν περπατάω = I’m not walking (now / today, as a plan or current situation).
Δεν περπάτησα = I didn’t walk (at all) today; it’s a completed, whole-day summary.

Why do we use δεν and not μην?

δεν negates verbs in the indicative (statements about facts/time): Δεν περπατάω, Δεν πήρα.
μην is used with the subjunctive/imperatives and after να, ας, etc.: να μην περπατήσω, Μην περπατάς.

Where does δεν go in the sentence?

It comes right before the verb phrase: Δεν περπατάω. With clitic pronouns, it precedes them too: Δεν το πήρα (not: το δεν πήρα).

Does γιατί mean both “because” and “why”? How can I tell?

Yes. In statements like this, γιατί = because. As a question word, Γιατί; = why? You tell from context, punctuation/intonation, and sentence structure. Greek also uses a semicolon (;) as the question mark: Γιατί;

What’s the difference between γιατί and επειδή for “because”?

Both mean “because.” επειδή only means “because,” so it’s unambiguous and slightly more formal/neutral. γιατί is very common but also doubles as “why.” If you front the cause, many prefer επειδή: Επειδή πήρα το λεωφορείο, σήμερα δεν περπατάω.

Why is there a comma before γιατί?

Greek often places a comma before γιατί/επειδή when the reason clause follows the main clause, to mark the subordinate clause: …, γιατί πήρα το λεωφορείο. You’ll also see it without a comma in informal writing; the comma is good style and aids readability.

Do I need to say εγώ (“I”)?

No. Greek is pro‑drop: the verb ending -ω already shows 1st person singular. Εγώ is used for emphasis or contrast: Εγώ δεν περπατάω…

Where can σήμερα go? Is the current position required?

It’s flexible. Common options:

Σήμερα δεν περπατάω… (fronted for emphasis on “today”)
Δεν περπατάω σήμερα… Both are correct; word order tunes emphasis rather than grammar.

Why is it το λεωφορείο? Can I use ένα or no article?

All three are possible, with different nuances:

πήρα το λεωφορείο: the bus (a specific/known one, or just natural/neutral).
πήρα ένα λεωφορείο: a bus (introducing an indefinite one).
πήρα λεωφορείο: idiomatic, focusing on the means (“I went by bus”), similar to English “I took the bus” as a mode. This bare singular is common with transport nouns (cf. πήρα ταξί).

What tense is πήρα and what’s the base verb?

πήρα is the aorist (simple past), 1st person singular, of παίρνω (“to take”). Useful forms:

Present: παίρνω
Aorist: πήρα
Imperfect: έπαιρνα
Perfect: έχω πάρει
Future (simple): θα πάρω
Future (continuous): θα παίρνω

Could I use έχω πάρει instead of πήρα?

You could say …γιατί έχω πάρει το λεωφορείο, but it shifts the focus to a present result/relevance (“because I have taken the bus”), which is less natural here. Greek typically prefers the aorist πήρα for a specific, completed past event that explains a current state.

Why περπατάω and not περπατώ?

They’re variants of the same present tense. -άω (περπατάω) is more conversational; -ώ (περπατώ) is a contracted form, often more formal/literary. Both are correct and interchangeable in meaning.

How would I negate the second clause if I wanted “I didn’t take the bus”?

Use δεν with the aorist: … γιατί δεν πήρα το λεωφορείο.

Any pronunciation tips for tricky sounds here?

δ in δεν is like “th” in “this” ([ð]).
γ before ι/ε (as in γιατί) is a soft “y”-like sound (
ω and ο sound the same (/o/).
περπατάω has two vowel beats at the end: [perpaˈta.o].
λεωφορείο is stressed on -ρεί-: [leofɔˈrio] (often heard [leofoˈrio]).
Full sentence (approx. IPA): [ˈsimera ðen perpaˈta.o, ʝaˈti ˈpira to leofoˈrio].

Can the γιατί‑clause come first?

Yes, but choose the conjunction carefully:

More neutral: Επειδή πήρα το λεωφορείο, σήμερα δεν περπατάω.
With γιατί first, speech can momentarily sound like a “why?” question; context and intonation fix it. In writing, many prefer επειδή when fronting.

Is λεωφορείο related to λέω (“I say”)? They look similar.

No. λεωφορείο (bus) is from λαός (people) + φορώ/φέρω (to carry/bring) via older forms; the λεω‑ here is unstressed and unrelated to λέω (“I say”). The accent distinguishes them: λεωφορείο vs λέω.