Συνήθως διαβάζω στο κρεβάτι, αλλά μερικές φορές ακούω μουσική έξω.

I usually read in bed, but sometimes I listen to music outside.

Breakdown of Συνήθως διαβάζω στο κρεβάτι, αλλά μερικές φορές ακούω μουσική έξω.

• αλλά: but
• το κρεβάτι: the bed
• σε: in
• διαβάζω: to read
• ακούω: to listen to
• η μουσική: the music
• συνήθως: usually
• μερικές φορές: sometimes
• έξω: outside

Questions & Answers about Συνήθως διαβάζω στο κρεβάτι, αλλά μερικές φορές ακούω μουσική έξω.

What does στο stand for and why is it used with κρεβάτι?

• στο is the contraction of σε + το = in/at/on the.
• σε is a general preposition that can mean in, at, or on depending on context.
• κρεβάτι is neuter (το κρεβάτι), so we use το; hence στο κρεβάτι.

Why is there an article in Greek (στο κρεβάτι) when English says in bed without one?

• Greek normally uses the definite article in set place expressions where English omits it. στο κρεβάτι is the standard way to say in bed.
• σε κρεβάτι would mean in a bed (some bed), which is not what we usually mean.

Does στο κρεβάτι mean in bed or on the bed?

• By default it means in bed (as a state).
• If you specifically mean on top of the bed, say πάνω στο κρεβάτι.
• Context can make στο κρεβάτι mean either, but πάνω removes ambiguity.

Can I move the adverbs Συνήθως and μερικές φορές around?

• Yes. Common variants:
  • Συνήθως διαβάζω στο κρεβάτι, αλλά μερικές φορές ακούω μουσική έξω. (neutral)
  • Διαβάζω συνήθως στο κρεβάτι, αλλά ακούω μερικές φορές μουσική έξω.
  • Στο κρεβάτι συνήθως διαβάζω... (emphasis on the place)
• Moving them changes emphasis, not core meaning.

Is the comma before αλλά required?

• It’s standard to use a comma before αλλά when it links two independent clauses. Your sentence follows that norm.
• Some writers omit it in short clauses, but using it is safe and common.

What’s the difference between αλλά, μα, and όμως?

• αλλά = but (neutral, most common).
• μα = but (more colloquial/poetic).
• όμως ≈ however/though; often placed after the first word and set off with commas: ..., όμως, ....

Why is there no article with μουσική in ακούω μουσική?

• μουσική is a mass/abstract noun used indefinitely here, so no article is needed.
• With the article you refer to specific music: ακούω τη μουσική = I hear/listen to the music (the particular music we have in mind).
• You can also say ακούω λίγη μουσική = I listen to some music.

Does ακούω mean hear or listen?

• It can mean either; context decides.
• ακούω μουσική is understood as I listen to music.
• To stress active listening, add an adverb like προσεκτικά (carefully) or rely on context.

What does έξω mean here, and where does it go in the sentence?

• έξω is an adverb meaning outside/outdoors.
• Placing it at the end (... μουσική έξω) is natural. Έξω ακούω μουσική strongly emphasizes the location.
• For from outside (sound coming in), use απ' έξω. For outside of + place, use έξω από + accusative (e.g., έξω από το σπίτι).

What tense/form are διαβάζω and ακούω?

• Present indicative, 1st person singular. The Greek present (Ενεστώτας) covers current, habitual, and sometimes near-future actions.
• The subject pronoun εγώ is dropped because the ending -ω already shows I.

Does διαβάζω mean read or study?

• Both. Context decides:
  • διαβάζω ένα βιβλίο = I read a book.
  • διαβάζω για τις εξετάσεις = I study for the exams.
• In your sentence, the place στο κρεβάτι points to the read meaning.

Could ακούω μουσική έξω mean I hear music from outside?

• Not exactly. That idea is better with ακούω μουσική απ' έξω (I hear music from outside).
• ακούω μουσική έξω means you are outside when listening.

Any pitfalls with spelling like αλλά vs άλλα?

• αλλά = but (double λ).
• άλλα = other (things) (also double λ): άλλα βιβλία = other books.
• Context distinguishes them; both have the accent on the first syllable.

How do I pronounce the tricky parts?

• Stress the accented syllables: Συνήθως (si-NÍ-thos), διαβάζω (ðya-VÁ-zo), κρεβάτι (kre-VÁ-ti), αλλά (a-LÁ), μερικές φορές (me-ri-KÉS fo-RÉS), ακούω (a-KÚ-o), μουσική (mu-si-KÍ), έξω (É-kso).
• Sounds: δ is like the th in this (voiced) [ð]; ξ is ks; ου is oo [u].
• The written accent shows the stressed syllable; modern Greek uses one accent per word.