Learn Hardcore Greek: Αν νοικιάζαμε μαζί, το ενοίκιο θα ήταν πιο φθηνό. - If we rented together, the rent would be cheaper.

Νοικιάζαμε is 1st person plural imperfect indicative of νοικιάζω. In conditionals, Greek uses αν + imperfect to express a present-time situation that is hypothetical or contrary to fact (we are not renting together). The pattern is:

Αν + imperfect, ... θα + imperfect = If X were ..., Y would ...

Can I say Αν θα νοικιάζαμε μαζί?

No. In standard Greek you do not use θα in the αν-clause. Say:

Αν νοικιάζαμε μαζί, ... (hypothetical/unreal)
Αν νοικιάσουμε μαζί, ... (real/possible future) but not Αν θα νοικιάζαμε...

What’s the difference between Αν νοικιάζαμε and Αν νοικιάσουμε?

Αν νοικιάζαμε... uses the imperfect and presents a contrary-to-fact or very remote idea in the present: we are not renting together now.
Αν νοικιάσουμε... uses the perfective non-past (often taught as the aorist subjunctive form) and presents an open, real future possibility: if we end up renting together (at some point), ...

What exactly is θα ήταν?

It’s θα + imperfect of είμαι (to be), 3rd person singular. Functionally it’s the conditional “would be.”

Imperfect of είμαι: ήμουν, ήσουν, ήταν, ήμασταν, ήσασταν, ήταν
With θα (conditional meaning): θα ήμουν, θα ήσουν, θα ήταν, etc.

Could I use θα είναι instead of θα ήταν?

Only if you change the if-clause to a real future condition. Compare:

Αν νοικιάζαμε μαζί, το ενοίκιο θα ήταν πιο φθηνό. (unreal/hypothetical: would be)
Αν νοικιάσουμε μαζί, το ενοίκιο θα είναι πιο φθηνό. (real/likely: will be)

Why is it πιο φθηνό? Could I say φθηνότερο?

Both are correct and mean “cheaper.”

πιο + adjective (e.g., πιο φθηνό) is the most common everyday way.
Synthetic comparative -ότερος (e.g., φθηνότερο) is also correct and a bit more formal or written.

Is φθηνό or φτηνό the right spelling?

Both are accepted: φθηνός and φτηνός. In speech they are pronounced the same (commonly as [ft-]). You’ll see πιο φθηνό and πιο φτηνό; choose one spelling and be consistent.

Why does φθηνό end in -ό?

Adjectives agree with the noun in gender, number, and case. Ενοίκιο is neuter singular nominative, so the predicate adjective is neuter singular nominative too: φθηνό.

What gender and article does ενοίκιο take?

Ενοίκιο is neuter. Its definite article is το: το ενοίκιο (singular), τα ενοίκια (plural).

Is there a more colloquial word than ενοίκιο?

Yes, νοίκι is very common in everyday speech: το νοίκι. Meaning is the same. Ενοίκιο is standard/neutral; νοίκι is more casual.

What’s the difference between νοικιάζω, ενοικιάζω, and μισθώνω?

νοικιάζω: the everyday verb “rent” (either rent from or rent out, context clarifies).
ενοικιάζω: more formal/administrative; often seen on signs or in ads.
μισθώνω: formal/legal “to lease.”

Is μαζί a preposition? When do I use μαζί με or pronouns?

Μαζί is an adverb meaning “together.”

With pronouns, you can say μαζί σου/του/της (very natural).
With full nouns, use μαζί με: μαζί με τον Γιάννη (together with John). In your sentence, μαζί alone works because the subject is we (together with each other).

Can I change the word order?

Yes. Greek word order is flexible. These are all natural:

Αν νοικιάζαμε μαζί, το ενοίκιο θα ήταν πιο φθηνό.
Το ενοίκιο θα ήταν πιο φθηνό αν νοικιάζαμε μαζί. Placing μαζί earlier (e.g., Αν μαζί νοικιάζαμε) is marked and uncommon here.

Do I need the comma?

If the αν-clause comes first, use a comma: Αν νοικιάζαμε μαζί, ...
If it comes second, normally no comma: Το ενοίκιο θα ήταν πιο φθηνό αν νοικιάζαμε μαζί.

How do I pronounce the tricky parts?

νοικιάζαμε: stress on -άζ- (noi-ki-Á-za-me); οι sounds like “ee.”
ενοίκιο: stress on -οί- (e-NÍ-kio); οι again is “ee.”
πιο: pronounced roughly “pyo.”

How would I say “If we had rented together, the rent would have been cheaper”?

Use a past counterfactual:

Αν είχαμε νοικιάσει μαζί, το ενοίκιο θα ήταν πιο φθηνό. More idiomatic for “would have turned out cheaper”:
Αν είχαμε νοικιάσει μαζί, το ενοίκιο θα είχε βγει/θα μας έβγαινε πιο φθηνό.

Could I say the same idea with a different verb than είναι?

Yes, very natural alternatives are:

Θα μας έβγαινε πιο φθηνό το ενοίκιο.
Θα βγαίναμε πιο φθηνά στο ενοίκιο. They mean “it would work out cheaper.”

Is ήτανε acceptable instead of ήταν?

Yes. Ήταν(ε) are both fine in colloquial Greek. With θα, you can hear θα ήταν(ε); θα ήταν is a bit more neutral.

Could I replace νοικιάζαμε with μέναμε?

You can, but the meaning shifts:

Αν μέναμε μαζί... = If we lived together...
Αν νοικιάζαμε μαζί... = If we rented together (co-leased a place)... The original focuses on the act of renting/co-leasing, not just cohabiting.