Breakdown of Περνάω καλά όταν βλέπω τηλεόραση με τον φίλο μου.
μου
my
ο φίλος
the male friend
με
with
βλέπω
to see
όταν
when
η τηλεόραση
the television
περνάω καλά
to have a good time
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Questions & Answers about Περνάω καλά όταν βλέπω τηλεόραση με τον φίλο μου.
What does the phrase Περνάω καλά literally mean, and is it idiomatic?
Literally it’s “I pass well,” but it’s a set expression meaning “I have a good time / I enjoy myself.” You’ll also see Περνώ καλά; both are correct. Without an adverb like καλά, περνάω/περνώ just means “to pass (by/through/time).”
What’s the difference between περνάω and περνώ?
They’re interchangeable in meaning and both standard. Περνάω is a bit more colloquial; περνώ can feel slightly more formal/concise. Aorist: πέρασα (I had a good time), perfect: έχω περάσει.
Why is it βλέπω after όταν? Shouldn’t there be θα or να?
After όταν you typically use the indicative without θα or να. Present indicative here expresses a general/habitual situation: Όταν βλέπω… (I whenever watch…). For a future one-off you still don’t add θα after όταν: Όταν πάω, θα σε πάρω τηλέφωνο (not: ❌Όταν θα πάω…).
Why is there no article before τηλεόραση?
With activities, Greek often uses a bare noun: βλέπω τηλεόραση = “watch TV (as an activity).” If you mean the device, you use the article: Ανοίγω την τηλεόραση / Βλέπω την τηλεόραση (“turn on/watch the TV set”).
Why is it με τον φίλο μου and not με ο φίλος μου?
Because the preposition με (“with”) takes the accusative, so masculine ο φίλος (nom.) becomes τον φίλο (acc.). The possessive μου is an unstressed clitic placed after the noun: τον φίλο μου.
Is it ever okay to write το φίλο μου instead of τον φίλο μου?
No in standard writing. Το is the neuter article and looks wrong with masculine φίλο. In fast speech some people drop the final -ν of articles in some contexts, but keep τον in writing (and very often in speech) to avoid ambiguity.
How does φίλος become φίλο here?
It’s the regular masculine -ος declension:
- Nominative: ο φίλος (subject)
- Accusative: τον φίλο (object; also after prepositions)
- Genitive: του φίλου
Where does μου go? Could I say ο δικός μου φίλος?
The weak possessive pronoun goes after the noun: ο/τον φίλο μου. For emphasis/contrast you can use the strong form: ο δικός μου φίλος (“my own friend”). Without the article, φίλο μου tends to mean “a friend of mine.”
Can I move με τον φίλο μου earlier in the sentence?
Yes, word order is flexible for nuance:
- Neutral: Περνάω καλά όταν βλέπω τηλεόραση με τον φίλο μου.
- Fronted time clause: Όταν βλέπω τηλεόραση με τον φίλο μου, περνάω καλά. Placing με τον φίλο μου before τηλεόραση is possible but slightly marked: …όταν με τον φίλο μου βλέπω τηλεόραση. Avoid splitting the tight unit βλέπω τηλεόραση unless for emphasis.
Can I use αν instead of όταν?
Not with the same meaning. Όταν = “when/whenever” (time). Αν = “if” (condition). Αν βλέπω τηλεόραση… would mean “If I watch TV…,” which changes the meaning from time to condition.
Do I need a comma before the όταν clause?
No comma when the όταν-clause comes after the main clause. Use a comma when it comes first: Όταν βλέπω τηλεόραση…, περνάω καλά.
Pronunciation tips for the whole sentence?
Stress each bolded syllable: per-NÁ-o ka-LÁ Ó-tan VLÉ-po ti-le-Ó-ra-si me ton FÍ-lo mu. Notes: -άω is two syllables (περ-νά-ω), τηλεόραση has the stress on -λό-, and μου is unstressed (“moo”).
How would it change if the friend is female?
Use the feminine noun and article in the accusative: με τη(ν) φίλη μου. The final -ν in την is often kept before vowels and certain consonants (κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ, μπ, ντ, γκ, τσ, τζ) but may drop elsewhere: τη φίλη μου.
Can I use κοιτάζω instead of βλέπω for “watch TV”?
No. The idiomatic collocation is βλέπω τηλεόραση. Κοιτάζω is “look at,” used for brief glances or looking at something specific.
How do I say it in the past?
- One specific occasion: Πέρασα καλά βλέποντας τηλεόραση με τον φίλο μου. / Χτες, όταν είδα τηλεόραση με τον φίλο μου, πέρασα καλά.
- Habitual past: Όταν έβλεπα τηλεόραση με τον φίλο μου, περνούσα καλά.
Is καλά required? Are there synonyms?
You need an adverb/complement with περνάω to convey “have a good time.” Common options: καλά (well), ωραία/όμορφα (nicely), τέλεια (great), φανταστικά (fantastically).
Can I say μαζί με τον φίλο μου instead of με τον φίλο μου?
Yes. Μαζί με adds emphasis to “together with”: …βλέπω τηλεόραση μαζί με τον φίλο μου.
Does με always take the accusative?
Yes. Examples: με τον φίλο μου, με τη(ν) φίλη μου, με το παιδί.