Learn Hardcore Greek: Απαντάω αμέσως όταν με ρωτάς.

Απαντάω is 1st person singular, present indicative, active.
The present in Greek is imperfective, so here it indicates a habitual action: “I answer immediately whenever you ask (me).”

What’s the difference between απαντάω and απαντώ?

They mean the same (“I answer”). Απαντώ is the contracted form—slightly more formal or written; απαντάω is very common in speech.
Parallel forms:
- we answer: απαντάμε / απαντούμε
- they answer: απαντάνε / απαντούν(ε)

Why is it με ρωτάς and not μου ρωτάς?

Ρωτάω (to ask a question) takes a direct object (accusative) for the person you ask: ρωτάω κάποιον → “ask someone,” so it’s με (me-ACC).
Μου is genitive and marks an indirect object (“to me”) with verbs like λέω: μου λες = “you tell me.”

Can I say Όταν με ρωτήσεις instead of όταν με ρωτάς?

Yes, but the meaning shifts.
- Όταν με ρωτάς, απαντάω αμέσως = habitual: “Whenever you ask me, I answer immediately.”
- Όταν με ρωτήσεις, θα απαντήσω αμέσως = future one-off: “When you ask me (at that time), I’ll answer immediately.”
In practice, pair present with present for habits, and όταν
- subjunctive with future for specific future events.

Do I need to say εγώ or εσύ?

No. Greek drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the subject.
Use them only for emphasis:
- Εγώ απαντάω αμέσως (I, specifically, answer immediately).
- Όταν εσύ με ρωτάς… (when YOU ask me…).

Can I say ρωτάς με? Where does the pronoun go?

In the indicative, weak pronouns go before the verb: με ρωτάς, not “ρωτάς με.”
In the affirmative imperative they follow the verb: Ρώτα με!
Negative imperative: Μη(ν) με ρωτάς.

Can I move αμέσως or the όταν-clause? What about commas?

Adverb placement: both Απαντάω αμέσως and Αμέσως απαντάω are fine (the second emphasizes the speed).
Clause order:
- Όταν με ρωτάς, απαντάω αμέσως. (subordinate first → use a comma)
- Απαντάω αμέσως όταν με ρωτάς. (main first → no comma)

What’s the difference between όταν and αν here?

Όταν = when/whenever (time).
Αν = if (condition).
- Αν με ρωτήσεις, θα σου απαντήσω. = “If you ask me, I’ll answer you.” (Maybe you will, maybe you won’t.)
- Όταν με ρωτήσεις, θα σου απαντήσω. = “When you ask me, I’ll answer you.” (You’re expected to ask.)

Should I add σου with απαντάω? English says “I answer you.”

You can, and it’s natural: Σου απαντάω (αμέσως) = “I answer you (immediately).”
With απαντάω, the person answered is an indirect object:
- genitive clitic: σου/μου/του… → Σου απαντάω τώρα.
- or a full phrase with σε: Απαντάω σε σένα τώρα.
Don’t say “σε απαντάω” to mean “I answer you.” Use σου απαντάω or απαντάω σε σένα.
Your original sentence is fine without it; adding σου just makes the recipient explicit: Σου απαντάω αμέσως όταν με ρωτάς.

What’s the difference between ρωτάω and ζητάω?

Could I replace αμέσως with another adverb? Do they mean the same?

αμέσως = immediately, right away (neutral, very common)
άμεσα = promptly/directly; also contrasts with “indirectly” (έμμεσα); slightly more formal at times
γρήγορα = quickly/fast (speed, not necessarily “right away”)
κατευθείαν = straightaway/straight (also “straight to” a place) Example: Θα απαντήσω άμεσα/αμέσως. Both are fine; αμέσως reads as “right away.”

How do I pronounce the sentence naturally?

Stress marks show the stressed syllable. A simple guide with stressed syllables in caps:
- a-pan-TA-o a-ME-sos O-tan me ro-TAS
Notes:
- ντ in απαντάω sounds like “nd.”
- ο and ω are both “o.”
- ρ is a tapped/rolled r.

How do I say the same idea in the past or the future?

Is there a word for “whenever” instead of όταν?

Yes, όποτε = “whenever.”
- Habitual/generic: Απαντάω αμέσως όποτε με ρωτάς.
- Future/open-ended: Όποτε με ρωτήσεις, θα σου απαντήσω αμέσως.