Αυτός γράφει αργά, αλλά εγώ γράφω γρήγορα.

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Breakdown of Αυτός γράφει αργά, αλλά εγώ γράφω γρήγορα.

• αυτός: he
• αλλά: but
• αργά: slowly
• γρήγορα: fast
• γράφω: to write

Questions & Answers about Αυτός γράφει αργά, αλλά εγώ γράφω γρήγορα.

What do the endings in γράφω and γράφει tell me?

They show person and number. In the present tense of γράφω (to write):

• 1st sg: γράφω = I write
• 2nd sg: γράφεις = you write
• 3rd sg: γράφει = he/she/it writes
• 1st pl: γράφουμε = we write
• 2nd pl: γράφετε = you (pl) write
• 3rd pl: γράφουν(ε) = they write So -ω marks 1st person singular, and -ει marks 3rd person singular.

Do I have to include the subject pronouns Αυτός and εγώ?

No. Greek is a pro‑drop language, so the verb ending usually makes the subject clear. You could say Γράφει αργά, αλλά γράφω γρήγορα. The pronouns are kept here to emphasize the contrast.

What extra nuance comes from using both Αυτός and εγώ?

Emphasis and contrast. It’s like saying, “He writes slowly, but me, I write quickly.” The pronouns highlight the difference between the two subjects.

Does Αυτός mean “he” or “this (man)” here, and what are its other forms?

Here Αυτός means “he.” It can also mean “this (man)” depending on context. Gender/number forms:

• Masculine: αυτός (pl. αυτοί)
• Feminine: αυτή (pl. αυτές)
• Neuter: αυτό (pl. αυτά)

How would I say it with “she” or “they”?

• She: Αυτή γράφει αργά, αλλά εγώ γράφω γρήγορα.
• They (masc./mixed): Αυτοί γράφουν αργά, αλλά εγώ γράφω γρήγορα.
• They (fem.): Αυτές γράφουν αργά, αλλά εγώ γράφω γρήγορα.

Where do adverbs like αργά and γρήγορα go?

The neutral spot is after the verb: γράφει αργά, γράφω γρήγορα. For emphasis, you can front them: Αργά γράφει, Γρήγορα γράφω, which stresses the manner.

Is γρήγορα an adjective or an adverb?

An adverb meaning “quickly.” The adjective is γρήγορος (masc.), γρήγορη (fem.), γρήγορο (neut.). Compare:

• Adverb: Γράφω γρήγορα. (I write quickly.)
• Adjective: Ένα γρήγορο αυτοκίνητο. (A fast car.)

Does αργά mean “slowly” or “late”?

Both, depending on context:

• Manner (slowly): Γράφει αργά.
• Time (late): Ήρθε αργά. (He/She came late.) Here it clearly means “slowly” because it modifies the way of writing.

Why is there a comma before αλλά?

Greek normally places a comma before αλλά (“but”) when it links two clauses, just like English: …, αλλά …. Your sentence follows that pattern.

Can I use όμως or μα instead of αλλά? What’s the difference?

• αλλά = “but,” the default neutral conjunction.
• όμως ≈ “however,” often comes after the comma and can move: …, όμως εγώ γράφω γρήγορα.
• μα = “but,” more colloquial/expressive: …, μα εγώ γράφω γρήγορα. All are acceptable; αλλά is the safest general choice.

Does the Greek present tense mean both “writes” and “is writing”?

Yes. Γράφει can mean “he writes” or “he is writing,” depending on context. Greek uses the same present form for both simple and progressive meanings.

How do I pronounce the whole sentence?

• Αυτός [afˈtos] (αυ before voiceless τ is pronounced [af])
• γράφει [ˈɣrafi]
• αργά [arˈɣa]
• αλλά [aˈla]
• εγώ [eˈɣo]
• γράφω [ˈɣrafo]
• γρήγορα [ˈɣriɣora] Greek γ is a voiced fricative: [ɣ] before back vowels (α, ο, ου) and [ʝ] before front vowels (ε, αι, ι, η, υ). Here you hear [ɣ] in γρ clusters. Greek ρ is tapped or lightly trilled.

What do the accent marks (tonos) do here?

They show the stressed syllable. In this sentence:

• Αυτός (stress on -τός)
• γράφει (γρά-)
• αργά (-γά)
• αλλά (-λά)
• εγώ (-γώ)
• γράφω (γρά-)
• γρήγορα (γρή-) Stress is phonemic in Greek, so the accent guides correct pronunciation.

Why is it εγώ and not εμένα?

εγώ is the nominative (subject) form, so it’s used as the subject of γράφω. εμένα is the strong (emphatic) object form, used as an object or after prepositions, e.g., Εμένα με ξέρει. (As for me, he knows me.)

Are there synonyms for αργά and γρήγορα?

• Slowly: αργά, σιγά (often “gently/quietly,” but commonly used as “slowly” in speech).
• Quickly: γρήγορα; more formal/intense: ταχέως, ταχύτατα; colloquial intensification: πολύ γρήγορα, γρήγορα-γρήγορα.

Can I use an adjective instead of an adverb, like “He writes slow,” in Greek?

No. Greek requires the adverb to modify a verb: γράφει αργά is correct. The adjective αργός modifies nouns, not verbs. Another correct (but different) structure is γράφει με αργό ρυθμό (he writes at a slow pace).

Is “αλλά” spelled with double lambda? What happens if I write one?

Yes, it’s αλλά with double λ. With a single λ you get αλά, which means “à la / in the style of,” not “but.”