Learn Hardcore Greek: Μαθαίνω ελληνικά γιατί θέλω να μιλάω καλύτερα, και νομίζω ότι βοηθάει. - I am learning Greek because I want to speak better, and I think that it helps.

In Greek, language names are written in lowercase and behave as neuter plural nouns: (τα) ελληνικά, (τα) αγγλικά.
Here it’s used generically, so just ελληνικά without capitalization.

Why is there no article before ελληνικά?

With verbs like μαθαίνω and μιλάω, languages usually appear without an article when meant in general: Μαθαίνω ελληνικά.
You use the article when the language is the topic/subject: Τα ελληνικά είναι δύσκολα.

Does Μαθαίνω mean “I learn” or “I’m learning”?

Both. The Greek present covers simple and progressive: Μαθαίνω = “I learn/I’m learning.” Context decides.

Why μιλάω and not μιλώ? Are both correct?

Yes, both are correct. They’re two accepted variants of the same verb.
μιλάω is very common/colloquial; μιλώ sounds a bit more formal/literary.
This -άω/-ώ alternation also appears in verbs like αγαπάω/αγαπώ, ρωτάω/ρωτώ.

Why να μιλάω and not να μιλήσω after θέλω?

Aspect: να μιλάω (present/imperfective subjunctive) = ongoing/habitual ability (“to speak better in general”).
να μιλήσω (aorist/perfective subjunctive) = a single, completed event (“to speak [once] better/right this time”).
Here the goal is overall improvement, so να μιλάω fits.

What is the role of να after θέλω?

να introduces the subjunctive. After verbs like θέλω/πρέπει/μπορώ/προσπαθώ, Greek uses να
- subjunctive (not an infinitive) to express the action: θέλω να μιλάω.

Why καλύτερα and not πιο καλά?

Both are fine and mean “better.”
καλύτερα is the irregular comparative of καλά; πιο καλά is a periphrastic form. καλύτερα is a bit more concise; πιο καλά is also very common.

What does ότι do here? How is it different from πως and ό,τι?

ότι = “that” (complementizer): νομίζω ότι βοηθάει = “I think that it helps.”
πως can also mean “that”: νομίζω πως βοηθάει (stylistic choice).
ό,τι (with the comma) = “whatever.” Don’t confuse ότι with ό,τι.

Why βοηθάει and can I use βοηθά instead?

Both βοηθάει and βοηθά are correct 3rd person singular forms (“helps”). The -άω verbs allow both endings.
βοηθά is very common in speech; βοηθάει is equally acceptable (some feel it’s a touch more careful).

Who/what is the subject of βοηθάει?

It’s an implicit “it,” referring to the situation just mentioned (learning Greek).
Greek drops subject pronouns by default: Νομίζω ότι (αυτό) βοηθάει = “I think (this) helps.”

Is the comma before και necessary?

Not really. Most editors would omit it: Μαθαίνω ελληνικά γιατί θέλω να μιλάω καλύτερα και νομίζω ότι βοηθάει.
You might keep a comma to signal a pause in speech, but it isn’t required.

Could I say για να instead of γιατί θέλω να?

Yes, for purpose: Μαθαίνω ελληνικά για να μιλάω καλύτερα = “I’m learning Greek in order to speak better.”
γιατί θέλω να… = “because I want to…,” which states the reason via your desire. Slightly different nuance.

Why γιατί and not επειδή?

Both mean “because.” γιατί also means “why,” while επειδή is unambiguously “because” and can feel a bit more formal.
Sentence-initial cause is often Επειδή: Επειδή θέλω να μιλάω καλύτερα, μαθαίνω ελληνικά.

Any quick pronunciation tips for tricky parts?

γιατί: [ya-TEE]; γ before front vowels sounds like English “y.”
μιλάω: [mee-LAO], often reduced to [mee-LA] in fast speech.
βοηθάει: commonly [voi-THA-eh] or reduced to [voi-THA]; θ is like English “th” in “think.”

Can I put εγώ in there?

Normally no: Greek drops subject pronouns. Εγώ is used for emphasis/contrast: Εγώ μαθαίνω ελληνικά… (“I, as opposed to others…”).

Can I rearrange the clauses?

Yes, Greek word order is flexible for emphasis:
- Μαθαίνω ελληνικά γιατί θέλω να μιλάω καλύτερα και νομίζω ότι βοηθάει. (neutral)
- Επειδή θέλω να μιλάω καλύτερα, μαθαίνω ελληνικά. (fronted reason)
- Νομίζω ότι βοηθάει. Μαθαίνω ελληνικά γιατί θέλω να μιλάω καλύτερα. (separate sentences for emphasis)

How would I say “I think it helps me”?