Learn Hardcore Greek: Έχω σκεφτεί ήδη την απάντηση, αλλά περιμένω την ερώτηση. - I have already thought of the answer, but I am waiting for the question.

Present of έχω
- a fixed perfective form of the verb (often in -σει/-ει): έχω γράψει, έχω πει, έχω δει, έχω σκεφτεί.
It expresses a completed action with current relevance (the result matters now).
Contrast: Σκέφτηκα = simple past (event in the past); σκέφτομαι = I’m thinking (ongoing).

Why is it σκεφτεί? What is the base verb and why does it look “passive”?

The base verb is the middle-only verb σκέφτομαι (“to think”), which has no active form in normal use.
Its aorist is σκέφτηκα; the perfect uses the perfective stem σκεφτ- plus the fixed ending seen in perfects: έχω σκεφτεί.
It looks “passive” because it comes from the mediopassive paradigm, but the meaning is active: “I have thought.”

Does the perfect part after έχω change with person?

No. Only έχω changes:

Where can I place ήδη (“already”)? Are different positions okay?

All of these are natural:

Έχω ήδη σκεφτεί την απάντηση (very common)
Έχω σκεφτεί ήδη την απάντηση (also fine)
Ήδη έχω σκεφτεί την απάντηση (more formal/emphatic, written style) Word order mainly affects emphasis, not grammar.

What’s the difference between ήδη and κιόλας?

Both mean “already.”
ήδη is neutral/standard; κιόλας is more colloquial and often conveys “so soon/earlier than expected.”
Placement: Το έχω κιόλας σκεφτεί is very natural in speech.

Why is there a comma before αλλά?

In Greek, a comma normally precedes αλλά when it links two independent clauses. Here it separates two full thoughts, so the comma is expected.

Why does περιμένω not take a preposition like English “wait for”?

περιμένω takes a direct object: περιμένω την ερώτηση (not “για την ερώτηση” in standard Greek).
For “wait to do something,” use a να-clause: Περιμένω να με ρωτήσεις (“I’m waiting for you to ask me”).
Περιμένω για να… means “I’m waiting in order to…,” expressing purpose.

Why the definite article (την απάντηση, την ερώτηση) instead of an indefinite one?

Greek uses the definite article for specific, identifiable things—here, a particular answer and the expected question.
Μια απάντηση / μια ερώτηση would mean “an answer/a question” (non-specific), which changes the meaning.

What gender and case are απάντηση and ερώτηση here?

Both are feminine nouns; here they’re in the accusative singular as direct objects.
The form of these -ση nouns is the same in nominative and accusative singular; the article την shows the accusative.

Why is it την (with -ν) and not τη?

Keep the final -ν of την/τον before vowels and certain consonants. Since απάντηση/ερώτηση start with a vowel, use την.
Safe learner rule: keeping the -ν on τον/την is always acceptable in modern usage.

Does περιμένω mean “I wait” or “I am waiting”? How do I show the progressive sense?

The present in Greek is imperfective and covers both: περιμένω = “I wait/I am waiting.”
To stress “right now,” add an adverb: Τώρα περιμένω (“I’m waiting now”).

How do I pronounce tricky letters here (δ, θ, χ, ει)?

δ in ήδη = voiced “th” (as in “this”).
θ in σκεφτεί = voiceless “th” (as in “think”).
χ in έχω = a harsh “h,” like German “Bach.”
ει in σκεφτεί = “ee.” Stress: É-cho, Í-di, a-PÁN-ti-si, e-RÓ-ti-si, pe-ri-MÉ-no.

Could I use σκέπτομαι instead of σκέφτομαι? And what about σκεφθεί?

σκέπτομαι is a more formal/learned variant of σκέφτομαι; both are correct.
In the perfect, neutral modern Greek uses έχω σκεφτεί. The very formal/learned form έχω σκεφθεί also exists but sounds old-fashioned.

Can I reorder for emphasis, like fronting objects?

Yes, Greek allows this for contrast/emphasis:

Την απάντηση την έχω ήδη σκεφτεί, αλλά την ερώτηση περιμένω. This highlights the contrast between “answer” and “question.”

How do I say “not yet” here?

Use ακόμη/ακόμα with negation:

Δεν έχω σκεφτεί ακόμη/ακόμα την απάντηση, αλλά περιμένω την ερώτηση. Placement of ακόμη/ακόμα is flexible: Δεν έχω ακόμη σκεφτεί… is also fine.

What’s the difference between ερώτηση and ερώτημα?

ερώτηση = a question you ask someone (in conversation, an exam, an interview).
ερώτημα = a “question” in the sense of an issue/problem for consideration (“the question/problem of X”). In this sentence, ερώτηση is the natural choice.