Breakdown of Τώρα πάω να δω τηλεόραση με τη φίλη μου.
τώρα
now
πάω
to go
να
to
η φίλη
the female friend
μου
my
με
with
βλέπω
to see
η τηλεόραση
the television
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Questions & Answers about Τώρα πάω να δω τηλεόραση με τη φίλη μου.
What does the construction πάω να + verb convey?
It literally means “I go to (so that I may) do X,” and in everyday speech it expresses immediate intention: “I’m off to do X / I’m about to do X.” So Τώρα πάω να… feels like “Right now I’m going to… (and I’m starting soon).”
Why is it να δω and not να βλέπω?
Greek uses the subjunctive after να. With πάω να, the aorist subjunctive (να δω) is the default for a single, bounded act (“watch” as an event). The present subjunctive (να βλέπω) suggests ongoing/habitual action and sounds odd here. Compare:
- Πάω να δω τηλεόραση = I’m going to watch (now, as a single activity).
- Πάω να βλέπω τηλεόραση = sounds off; would imply “I’m going to be in the habit of watching.”
What verb is δω from? Why not βλέπω?
δω is the irregular aorist subjunctive of βλέπω (“to see/watch”). Indicative aorist is είδα; subjunctive is να δω. Mini-paradigm: να δω, να δεις, να δει, να δούμε, να δείτε, να δουν(ε). Note that monosyllables like δω aren’t written with an accent.
Could I say Θα δω τηλεόραση τώρα instead?
Yes. Θα δω is simple future (“I’ll watch”). It can also mean “I’m going to watch now,” but πάω να δω highlights immediate intention/starting the action. Both are fine; πάω να… sounds more like “I’m off to… (right now).”
Why is there no article with τηλεόραση?
With activities, Greek often omits the article: βλέπω τηλεόραση = “I watch TV (as an activity).” Using the article (βλέπω την τηλεόραση) tends to refer to the device (“I’m looking at the TV set”) or a specific, identified thing. In casual speech, people may still use the article loosely, but the article-less version is the norm for the activity.
Why do we say με τη φίλη μου with the article? Couldn’t it be just με φίλη μου?
Greek normally keeps the definite article with possessives: η φίλη μου, το σπίτι μου, etc. After the preposition με (“with”), the noun goes to accusative, so η φίλη → τη φίλη. Hence με τη φίλη μου is the standard form; με φίλη μου sounds unidiomatic in standard Greek.
Why is it τη φίλη and not την φίλη?
The feminine article accusative is την, but in modern spelling the final -ν is often dropped before many consonants. A common rule: keep -ν before vowels and before κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ, γκ, μπ, ντ, τσ, τζ; otherwise it can drop. Since φ isn’t in that set, you’ll often see τη φίλη. Many speakers keep the -ν all the time (την φίλη)—that’s also widely accepted.
Does η φίλη mean “female friend” or “girlfriend”?
Primarily “female friend.” For “girlfriend,” Greek commonly uses η κοπέλα μου or η σύντροφός μου (more neutral/partner). Context can make η φίλη μου sound like “girlfriend,” but on its own it means “female friend.”
Can I move τώρα or με τη φίλη μου elsewhere in the sentence?
Yes, word order is flexible. All of these are natural with slight differences in emphasis:
- Τώρα πάω να δω τηλεόραση (με τη φίλη μου).
- Πάω τώρα να δω τηλεόραση (με τη φίλη μου).
- Πάω να δω τηλεόραση τώρα (με τη φίλη μου).
- Τώρα, με τη φίλη μου, πάω να δω τηλεόραση. (emphasizes “with my friend”)
Is πάω the same as πηγαίνω?
Yes, πάω is the everyday form of πηγαίνω (“to go”). Both are correct. In this construction, πάω να is very common and idiomatic; πηγαίνω να is fine but a bit more formal/neutral.
How would it change if I meant a male friend?
Use the masculine article and noun in the accusative: με τον φίλο μου. So: Τώρα πάω να δω τηλεόραση με τον φίλο μου.
Where do object pronouns go with να? For example, if I mean “I’m going to watch it.”
Clitic pronouns come before the verb in the να-clause: Πάω να τη δω (“I’m going to watch it,” feminine object). You may also see να την δω; both occur, with the -ν often optional as explained above. With finite futures, it’s Θα τη δω.
Can I say πάω για να δω instead of πάω να δω?
Yes. πάω για να δω explicitly marks purpose (“I’m going in order to watch”). It’s a touch more formal/explicit. πάω να δω is the everyday, streamlined version.
Do I ever need to write accents on δω or μου?
No. In monotonic Greek, monosyllables like δω, μου, του, της aren’t written with an accent. The common exceptions are interrogatives πού (“where?”) and πώς (“how?”) when used as questions.
Could I say simply Τώρα βλέπω τηλεόραση με τη φίλη μου?
Yes, that means “I’m watching TV now with my friend” (an action already in progress). Τώρα πάω να δω… means you’re about to start watching. Different aspect/timing, both natural.