Learn Hardcore Greek: Αρχίζω τώρα, αλλά τελειώνω αργότερα.

Greek is a “pro‑drop” language: the verb ending shows the subject, so the pronoun is usually omitted. The ending -ω in both αρχίζω and τελειώνω marks 1st person singular, so the subject is clearly “I.” You can add Εγώ for emphasis: Εγώ αρχίζω τώρα…

Are αρχίζω and τελειώνω in the present tense? How can I recognize that?

Yes—both are present indicative (imperfective). In regular -ω verbs, the 1st person singular present ends in -ω. Typical present endings:

εγώ: -ω (αρχίζω, τελειώνω)
εσύ: -εις (αρχίζεις, τελειώνεις)
αυτός/αυτή/αυτό: -ει (αρχίζει, τελειώνει)
εμείς: -ουμε (αρχίζουμε, τελειώνουμε)
εσείς: -ετε (αρχίζετε, τελειώνετε)
αυτοί: -ουν(ε) (αρχίζουν(ε), τελειώνουν(ε))

Since it says “later,” shouldn’t it be future tense, like “I will finish later”?

Both are possible:

Natural and common: Αρχίζω τώρα, αλλά θα τελειώσω αργότερα. (“I’m starting now, but I’ll finish later.”)
Your original sentence is also fine; Greek present often covers near-future when context words like αργότερα (“later”) make the time clear. Using the future (θα τελειώσω) emphasizes the completion later.

What’s the difference between τελειώνω, τελείωσα, and τελειώσω? And similarly αρχίζω, άρχισα, αρχίσω?

τελειώνω / αρχίζω: present (imperfective) — ongoing, habitual, or “right now.”
τελείωσα / άρχισα: aorist past (perfective) — a completed past event (“I finished,” “I started”).
(να/θα) τελειώσω / (να/θα) αρχίσω: perfective subjunctive/non-past — used after να or θα for a single, complete event (“to finish/start (once),” “I will finish/start”). Examples:
Χτες τελείωσα νωρίς. = Yesterday I finished early.
Θέλω να τελειώσω αύριο. = I want to finish tomorrow.
Θα αρχίσω τώρα. = I will start now.

Why is there a comma before αλλά? Do Greeks always put a comma there?

When αλλά (“but”) connects two independent clauses, Greek normally uses a comma before it: …, αλλά …. This is the standard written norm, much like English.

Can I move τώρα and αργότερα around in the sentence?

Yes. Adverbs are flexible and can move for rhythm or emphasis:

Τώρα αρχίζω, αλλά τελειώνω αργότερα.
Αρχίζω τώρα, αλλά αργότερα τελειώνω. All are grammatical; fronting an adverb (placing it first) adds emphasis to that time word.

How do I pronounce the sentence?

Approximate stress-marked guide (capital letters show the stressed syllable):

Αρχίζω: ar-HÍ-zo (χ is a soft “h” like German “ich” because it’s before ί)
τώρα: TÓ-ra
αλλά: a-LÁ
τελειώνω: te-li-YÓ-no (the “lió” sounds like “lyó”)
αργότερα: ar-GÓ-te-ra Notes:
ζ = “z” (zebra).
ει/ι/η/υ/οι often sound like “i.”

What’s the difference between αργά and αργότερα?

αργά = “late” (time of day or manner): Ήρθα αργά. = I came late.
αργότερα = “later” (comparative, at a later time): Θα έρθω αργότερα. = I’ll come later. Think “late” vs “later.”

Is αλλά the only way to say “but”? What about μα or όμως?

αλλά = standard “but,” neutral and widely used.
μα = “but” too, more colloquial/emphatic or literary: Μα τι λες;
όμως = “however/nevertheless”; can appear after a comma or at the start: Ήθελα να φύγω, όμως έμεινα. In your sentence, αλλά is the most neutral choice.

What are the infinitives of “to start” and “to finish” in Greek?

Modern Greek doesn’t use infinitives. Dictionaries list verbs in the 1st person singular present (e.g., αρχίζω, τελειώνω). To express “to start/finish,” Greek uses να + subjunctive:

“to start (once)” = να αρχίσω; “to be starting/keep starting” = να αρχίζω
“to finish (once)” = να τελειώσω; “to be finishing/keep finishing” = να τελειώνω Examples: Θέλω να αρχίσω. Πρέπει να τελειώσω.

Can τελειώνω be both transitive and intransitive?

Yes.

Transitive: Τελειώνω τη δουλειά στις πέντε. = I finish the work at five.
Intransitive: Τελειώνω στις πέντε. = I finish at five. A more formal synonym for “finish (something)” is ολοκληρώνω.

When would I include the pronoun εγώ?

Use εγώ for emphasis or contrast:

Εγώ αρχίζω τώρα, αλλά ο Νίκος αργότερα. = I’m the one starting now, but Nikos later.
Εγώ δεν τελειώνω τώρα. = Me, I’m not finishing now. Without emphasis, you normally omit it.

Is there any difference between αργότερα and μετά?

Both can mean “later/afterwards,” but:

αργότερα = “later on” (often vaguer, relative to now).
μετά = “after/then”; often used for sequence and can take από
- noun: μετά από τη δουλειά = after work. In your sentence, either works: …, αλλά τελειώνω μετά. is also acceptable.

Can I use ξεκινάω/ξεκινώ instead of αρχίζω?

Yes. Ξεκινάω/ξεκινώ is a very common synonym of “start/begin,” often with the nuance of “set off/launch.” Your sentence can be:

Ξεκινάω τώρα, αλλά τελειώνω αργότερα. Both verbs are interchangeable in many contexts, though ξεκινώ is especially common for trips or processes starting up.

How do I make the sentence negative?

Use δεν before the verb:

Δεν αρχίζω τώρα, αλλά θα τελειώσω αργότερα. = I’m not starting now, but I’ll finish later. Notes:
δεν is used with indicative verbs.
μη(ν) is used with negative imperatives and with να-clauses (e.g., να μην τελειώσω).