Learn Hardcore Greek: Αν κάποιος δεν απαντήσει, ρωτάω άλλη μια φορά. - If someone doesn't answer, I ask one more time.

It is the aorist subjunctive, 3rd person singular of απαντώ/απαντάω. After αν (if), Greek normally uses the perfective subjunctive to talk about a single possible future event, focusing on whether it happens at all (completion), not on its duration. Hence αν (δεν) απαντήσει = if (he/she) (doesn’t) answer.

Why is it δεν and not μην before απαντήσει?

Because αν does not trigger μην. Use δεν in conditional clauses with αν: αν δεν έρθει, αν δεν απαντήσει. Reserve μη(ν) for subjunctive with να/ας and prohibitions: να μην απαντήσει, μην απαντήσεις.

Why is the second clause in the present (ρωτάω) instead of the future?

Present here states a general/habitual rule: “I ask again (as a policy).” If you mean a one-off future reaction, use the future: Αν κάποιος δεν απαντήσει, θα ρωτήσω άλλη μια φορά.

Could I say αν κάποιος δεν απαντά(ει) instead? What changes?

Yes, but it shifts aspect. Δεν απαντά(ει) (imperfective present) suggests an ongoing or typical lack of answering. Δεν απαντήσει (perfective subjunctive) is the neutral choice for a single potential occasion.

Is άλλη μια φορά the same as ξανά or πάλι? What about ξαναρωτάω?

άλλη μια (μία) φορά = one more time (explicitly one more iteration).
ξανά/πάλι = again (not necessarily only once; πάλι can sound a bit more colloquial/complaining).
You can also attach the prefix: ξαναρωτάω/ξαναρωτώ = “I ask again.”

What’s the difference between μια and μία here? Which should I write?

In modern usage, μία is the numeral “one,” while μια often functions as the unstressed “a/an.” In this phrase both are common; άλλη μία φορά emphasizes “one more time,” while άλλη μια φορά is very frequent in everyday writing. Pronunciation often collapses to [mja]; careful speech may say μία as [mí.a].

Why is άλλη feminine?

Because it agrees with φορά, which is a feminine noun. Adjective agreement is obligatory: άλλη (fem.) μια φορά; compare masculine άλλος and neuter άλλο in other contexts.

Is the comma after the αν-clause required?

Yes, when the conditional clause comes first, Greek normally uses a comma before the main clause: Αν … , …. If the main clause comes first and the αν-clause follows, a comma is usually not used.

Can I swap the order of the clauses?

Yes: Ρωτάω άλλη μια φορά αν κάποιος δεν απαντήσει. That word order is fine; no comma is needed in this version.

Should Αν have an accent, or should I write εάν?

Write αν without an accent. εάν is a more formal or emphatic variant; both mean “if.” In everyday writing and speech, αν is standard.

What’s the difference between ρωτάω and ρωτώ?

They are the same verb; ρωτάω is the more colloquial form, ρωτώ is slightly more formal/literary. Both are fully correct.

How do you pronounce the whole sentence?

Approximate IPA: [an ˈkapjos ðen apanˈdisi, roˈtao ˈali mja foˈra].
Rough guide: an KAP-yos then a-pan-DEE-see, ro-TA-o A-lee mja fo-RA. Stress is on the bold syllables.

Is κάποιος the best pronoun here? Could I use κανείς?

If you mean “if nobody answers,” Greek prefers κανείς with negation: Αν δεν απαντήσει κανείς, ρωτάω άλλη μια φορά. Αν κάποιος δεν απαντήσει literally means “if someone doesn’t answer (i.e., if there is a person who doesn’t).”

Why φορά for “time”? Why not χρόνος?

φορά means an “occurrence/instance” (one time), which is exactly what “once/one more time” needs. χρόνος is “time” as a general concept or duration.

Is there an object missing after ρωτάω?

It’s understood from context (I ask the question again / I ask them again). You can add it if you want: … ρωτάω την ερώτηση άλλη μια φορά or … ρωτάω ξανά τον άνθρωπο.

Can I use άμα instead of αν? What about όταν?

Colloquially, άμα can replace αν for “if”: Άμα κάποιος δεν απαντήσει… is informal but common. όταν means “when,” not “if,” so use it only when the condition is expected to happen regularly: Όταν κάποιος δεν απαντά, ρωτάω… (whenever someone doesn’t answer).

How can I be sure απαντήσει is 3rd person singular?

The aorist subjunctive endings are: -σω, -σεις, -σει, -σουμε, -σετε, -σουν(ε). Here -σει = 3rd singular, so (να) απαντήσει = “(that) he/she answer.” Context supplies the subject: κάποιος.