Learn Hardcore Greek: Πότε είναι η επόμενη συνάντηση;

η is the feminine nominative singular definite article, meaning “the.” Greek nouns have grammatical gender; συνάντηση is feminine, so you use η. It doesn’t mean “she” in this sentence.

Why is the article used? Could I say Πότε είναι επόμενη συνάντηση; without η?

Use the article. In Greek, definite, specific things normally take the article. Πότε είναι επόμενη συνάντηση; sounds like a headline or label. Say Πότε είναι η επόμενη συνάντηση;.

Why does επόμενη end in -η?

Adjectives agree with the noun in gender, number, and case. The base adjective is επόμενος (masc), with forms:

επόμενη (fem) to match συνάντηση
επόμενο (neut)

What case is η επόμενη συνάντηση in, and why not την επόμενη συνάντηση?

It’s nominative because with the verb είναι (to be), the subject/predicate is nominative: Η επόμενη συνάντηση είναι…. Accusative την would be used if it were a direct object (see next question).

Can I say Πότε έχουμε την επόμενη συνάντηση; instead?

Yes. That means “When do we have the next meeting?” Here την επόμενη συνάντηση is a direct object, so accusative την is correct. Both forms are common; είναι asks about when it takes place, έχουμε about when we have it.

Why use present είναι rather than future θα είναι?

Greek often uses the present for scheduled events. Πότε είναι… is perfectly natural. Πότε θα είναι… is also fine and can sound more like “When will it be?” (before a time is fixed).

What’s the difference between πότε and όταν?

πότε asks a question: Πότε είναι η συνάντηση; (When is the meeting?)
όταν introduces a time clause in statements: Θα έρθω όταν αρχίσει η συνάντηση. (I’ll come when the meeting starts.)

I’ve seen ποτέ—is that the same as πότε?

No. πότε = when? (question word, stress on the first syllable). ποτέ = never (usually with negation, stress on the last syllable). Don’t mix them up.

Is that really a semicolon at the end?

Yes—because the Greek question mark looks like an English semicolon (;). That’s the normal Greek question mark. The Greek semicolon is a raised dot (·).

How do you pronounce the sentence?

Roughly: Póte íne i epómeni synántisi?

Πότε = PÓ-te (stress first syllable)
είναι = EÉ-ne (pronounced íne)
η = i (ee)
επόμενη = e-PÓ-me-ni (stress on PÓ)
συνάντηση = si-NÁN-di-si; the ντ can sound like [nd] or [d] IPA (broad): [ˈpote ˈine i eˈpomeni siˈnandisi]

Can I move words around, like Η επόμενη συνάντηση πότε είναι;?

Yes. That word order is also used and can put extra focus on “the next meeting,” as in “As for the next meeting, when is it?” The neutral, default order is Πότε είναι η επόμενη συνάντηση;.

Is συνάντηση the same as ραντεβού?

Not exactly:

συνάντηση = meeting (general, often group or formal)
ραντεβού = appointment/meet-up (prearranged time, often one-on-one; can be romantic) For a work meeting, both can be heard, but συνάντηση or σύσκεψη (work meeting) are typical.

How would I answer with a day and time?

With a day: Την Πέμπτη. (On Thursday.)
With a time: Στις 5. (At 5.)
Day + time: Την Πέμπτη στις 5. Note: use στη μία for 1:00, but στις δύο/τρεις/τέσσερις… for 2, 3, 4, etc.

How do I ask “What time is the next meeting?” instead of “When”?

Say Τι ώρα είναι η επόμενη συνάντηση;

How do I make it plural: “When are the next meetings?”

Πότε είναι οι επόμενες συναντήσεις; Changes:

οι (plural article)
επόμενες (feminine plural adjective)
συναντήσεις (feminine plural noun)

What verb is είναι, and is it irregular?

είναι is the 3rd person singular of είμαι (to be), and it’s irregular. Present tense:

εγώ είμαι, εσύ είσαι, αυτός/αυτή/αυτό είναι, εμείς είμαστε, εσείς είστε, αυτοί/αυτές/αυτά είναι.