Learn Hardcore Greek: Ξυπνάω νωρίς και σκέφτομαι το πρόβλημα πριν τον καφέ. - I wake up early and think about the problem before coffee.

Greek is a pro‑drop language: the verb ending shows the subject. The ending of Ξυπνάω and σκέφτομαι clearly marks first person singular, so εγώ is understood. You add εγώ only for emphasis: Εγώ ξυπνάω νωρίς.

Why does σκέφτομαι end in -μαι? Is it reflexive?

Σκέφτομαι is a “middle/passive” form in shape, but in meaning it’s active (a deponent verb). It simply means “I think/ponder.” You don’t add a reflexive pronoun. Typical forms:

Present: σκέφτομαι (I think)
Imperfect: σκεφτόμουν(α) (I was thinking)
Aorist: σκέφτηκα (I thought)

Do I need για after σκέφτομαι (e.g., σκέφτομαι για το πρόβλημα)?

Usually, no. The standard pattern is σκέφτομαι + direct object: σκέφτομαι το πρόβλημα. Using για is possible in colloquial speech but can sound vaguer (“I’m thinking about/considering the issue”). With people, prefer the object: Σε σκέφτομαι rather than σκέφτομαι για σένα.

Why is it τον καφέ when in English we’d say “before coffee” without “the”?

Greek often uses the definite article for general or routine things. Πριν τον καφέ means “before (the) coffee” in the sense of your usual morning coffee. If you want the “any coffee” idea, you can make it verbal: πριν πιω καφέ.

Why τον and not το before καφέ?

Because ο καφές is masculine; in the accusative singular it takes τον: τον καφέ. For other genders you’d get:

Neuter: το τσάι → πριν το τσάι
Feminine: η μπύρα → πριν την μπύρα

Is πριν τον καφέ correct, or should it be πριν από τον καφέ?

Both are correct. With a noun phrase, many speakers use πριν από for clarity, but πριν alone with the accusative (πριν τον καφέ) is very common and natural. With a verb, use πριν + subjunctive (no να): πριν πιω καφέ.

Can I say πριν καφέ without the article?

That sounds unnatural. Use one of:

πριν τον καφέ
πριν από τον καφέ
πριν πιω καφέ (verb phrase, no article)

What’s the difference between νωρίς and πρωί?

νωρίς = early (relative to some expectation): Ξυπνάω νωρίς.
(το) πρωί = in the morning (time of day): Ξυπνάω το πρωί. You can also use νωρίτερα (earlier) and πολύ νωρίς (very early). The adjective πρωινός means “morning” (e.g., πρωινός καφές).

Can I move νωρίς or πριν τον καφέ to other positions?

Yes, Greek word order is flexible for emphasis:

Νωρίς ξυπνάω και σκέφτομαι το πρόβλημα… (emphasis on “early”)
Πριν τον καφέ, σκέφτομαι το πρόβλημα.
Ξυπνάω νωρίς και σκέφτομαι το πρόβλημα πριν τον καφέ. (neutral)

Is Ξυπνάω the same as ξυπνώ?

Yes, both are correct present forms of the same verb. -άω forms (e.g., ξυπνάω) are very common in everyday speech; -ώ forms (e.g., ξυπνώ) can sound a bit more formal or literary. Other pairs: ρωτάω/ρωτώ, αγαπάω/αγαπώ.

What’s the difference between ξυπνάω and σηκώνομαι?

ξυπνάω = I wake up (stop sleeping). It can also be transitive: Ξυπνάω τον Γιάννη (I wake John up).
σηκώνομαι = I get up (physically get out of bed). So you might say: Ξυπνάω νωρίς, αλλά σηκώνομαι αργά.

Does the present tense here mean a habit or right now?

Greek present can be either progressive or habitual. Ξυπνάω νωρίς και σκέφτομαι… can mean “I (generally) wake up early and (usually) think…” or “I’m waking up early and I’m thinking…” Context or adverbs (e.g., συνήθως) clarify habit.

What does και do here? Do I need a comma, or should it be κι?

και simply links the two actions (“and”). No comma is needed. Before a vowel, και is often written κι for euphony (e.g., κι έπειτα). Here, και σκέφτομαι is fine because σκέφτομαι starts with a consonant.

How do I pronounce tricky bits like Ξυπνάω and τον καφέ?

Ξ is like “ks” in “bricks”: Ξυ- = “ksee-…”. The stress is on -νά-: kseep-NÁ-o.
τον καφέ: stress on the last syllable of καφέ (ka-FÉ). The ν in τον often assimilates before κ, so you may hear something like “toŋ kafé.”

Could I replace πριν with προτού?

Yes. Προτού + subjunctive is a stylistically slightly higher alternative: Προτού πιω καφέ, σκέφτομαι το πρόβλημα. It means the same as πριν πιω καφέ. Avoid πριν να πιω in standard modern usage.