Learn Hardcore Greek: Βγαίνω έξω τώρα.

Strictly speaking it’s redundant, because βγαίνω already means “to go/come out.” However, βγαίνω έξω is extremely common in everyday speech and sounds perfectly natural. Using έξω often emphasizes the physical act of going outside (as opposed to “going out” socially), though context usually makes that clear either way.

What tense/aspect is βγαίνω, and does it mean “I’m going out” (right now) or “I go out” (in general)?

Βγαίνω is present tense, imperfective aspect. Greek present covers both the English simple present and present progressive. The adverb τώρα disambiguates here: with τώρα, it’s understood as “I’m going out now.”

Can I move τώρα to another position?

Yes. Common options:

Τώρα βγαίνω έξω. (Stronger focus on “now.”)
Βγαίνω τώρα έξω. (Also fine; neutral.)
Βγαίνω έξω τώρα. (Your original; perfectly natural.)
Word order in Greek is flexible and mostly affects emphasis, not basic meaning.

Do I need to say εγώ for “I,” or is it optional?

It’s optional. The verb ending in βγαίνω already shows the subject is first person singular. Adding εγώ adds emphasis or contrast, as in Εγώ βγαίνω έξω τώρα (“I’m the one going out now”).

How do I make it negative?

Use δεν before the verb: Δεν βγαίνω έξω τώρα. In casual speech you’ll also hear δε βγαίνω έξω τώρα, but δεν is the standard form in writing.

How do I turn it into a yes/no question?

Use the same word order and change the punctuation/prosody: Βγαίνω έξω τώρα; Note that Greek uses the semicolon (;) as the question mark.

Any pronunciation tips, especially for βγαίνω?

βγ is pronounced as a cluster; before the front vowel sound in αί = /e/, γ is a soft fricative. A good approximation is “v” followed by a soft “y” sound: roughly “v-yeh” for βγαι-.
Stress: βγ-ΑΙ-νω (stress on the -αί-), Ε-ξω, ΤΩ-ρα.
ρ in τώρα is a light tap.

What’s the difference between βγαίνω and πάω/πηγαίνω here?

Βγαίνω emphasizes exiting/enclosing-to-outside. Πάω/πηγαίνω is a general “go,” so Πάω έξω is acceptable and means “I’m going outside,” but it lacks the built-in “exit” nuance that βγαίνω has.

How do I say it in the past or future?

Simple past (aorist): Βγήκα έξω (τώρα/πριν λίγο).
Imperfect (past ongoing/habitual): Έβγαινα έξω κάθε μέρα.
Future (with perfective stem): Θα βγω έξω (σε λίγο).
Note the irregular stems: present βγαίνω, aorist βγήκα, non-past perfective βγω.

How do I tell someone to go out (imperative)?

Single action: Βγες έξω τώρα. (2nd sg.), Βγείτε έξω τώρα. (2nd pl./formal)
Repeated/ongoing habit: Βγαίνε έξω πιο συχνά.
Also, for a polite suggestion you can use μπορείς να/μήπως να with βγεις: Μήπως να βγεις έξω για λίγο;

Is there a more formal alternative to βγαίνω?

Yes: εξέρχομαι is the formal/literary equivalent. For example, Εξέρχομαι τώρα would be understood but sounds official or archaic in everyday conversation. In neutral formal contexts, αποχωρώ (“I’m leaving/departing”) can also fit, depending on context.

What’s the difference between έξω, έξω από, and εκτός?

έξω: adverb “outside” (no object): Είμαι έξω.
έξω από + noun: “outside (of) [place]”: Βγαίνω έξω από το σπίτι.
εκτός: “outside, except (for), beyond” and often needs a complement: εκτός από = “except for,” εκτός Αθήνας = “outside Athens.” It’s more formal in some uses.

Do I need a preposition or article after έξω?

No. Έξω is an adverb and stands alone: Βγαίνω έξω τώρα. Only add από if you specify what you’re going outside of: Βγαίνω έξω από το γραφείο.

Can I front έξω as in Έξω βγαίνω τώρα?

You can, but it’s marked/emphatic and sounds poetic or contrastive, focusing strongly on “outside.” Neutral speech prefers Βγαίνω έξω τώρα or Τώρα βγαίνω έξω.

Can βγαίνω also mean “go out” socially or “date”?

Yes. Βγαίνω by itself often means “go out (socially),” e.g., Θέλεις να βγούμε απόψε; (“Want to go out tonight?”). With με, it can mean “date”: Βγαίνει με κάποιον (“She’s going out with someone”).

Any pitfalls with spelling and accents?

βγαίνω is with αι and stress on that diphthong.
έξω has the accent on έ- and uses ξ (not “κσ”).
τώρα uses ω (omega), not ο, and stress on the first syllable.
When capitalized at the start, accents are still written in modern Greek: Βγαίνω έξω τώρα.

How can I add nuances like “right now,” “for a bit,” or “in a bit”?

“right now”: τώρα αμέσως, αμέσως τώρα
“for a bit”: για λίγο → Βγαίνω έξω για λίγο.
“in a bit”: σε λίγο → often used with future: Θα βγω έξω σε λίγο.

If I’m speaking to someone who is outside, should I say “I’m coming out now” instead?

Yes, you can switch to Έρχομαι έξω τώρα (“I’m coming outside now”) to mark movement toward the listener. Βγαίνω έξω τώρα is still correct, but έρχομαι highlights the direction relative to the person you’re addressing.

Does βγαίνω have other meanings I should know about?

Yes. It can mean “to come out/be released/turn out/be enough,” e.g., Το βιβλίο βγαίνει αύριο (“The book comes out tomorrow”), Η σούπα βγαίνει πεντανόστιμη (“The soup turns out delicious”), Τα λεφτά δεν μου βγαίνουν (“The money isn’t enough for me”). Context clarifies the meaning.

What are the present-tense forms of βγαίνω?

εγώ: βγαίνω
εσύ: βγαίνεις
αυτός/αυτή/αυτό: βγαίνει
εμείς: βγαίνουμε
εσείς: βγαίνετε
αυτοί/αυτές/αυτά: βγαίνουν(ε) (the final -ε is colloquial/optional)

Is there a more literal way to say “exit” like a sign or instruction?

For signage and very formal contexts, έξοδος is “exit,” and verbs like εξέρχομαι or phrases like παρακαλούμε εξέλθετε (“please exit”) are used. In everyday speech for the action, stick with βγαίνω.