Learn Hardcore Greek: Αν κάναμε πιο πολλή άσκηση, θα νιώθαμε πιο δυνατοί. - If we did more exercise, we would feel stronger.

Αν κάναμε πιο πολλή άσκηση = If we did more exercise / If we exercised more (condition)
θα νιώθαμε πιο δυνατοί = we would feel stronger (result)

So αν works just like English if in an unreal / hypothetical condition.

What tense is κάναμε, and why is that tense used?

Κάναμε is the imperfect of κάνω (we were doing / we used to do / we did repeatedly).

In conditionals like “If we exercised more, we would feel stronger”, Greek normally uses:

Imperfect in the αν-clause: αν κάναμε
θα + imperfect in the result: θα νιώθαμε

This combination expresses an unreal or hypothetical situation in the present: we are not actually doing more exercise, but we imagine it.

Is θα νιώθαμε like English “we would feel”?

Yes.

Θα is the particle that usually marks the future, but with past tenses it often gives a conditional meaning.
νιώθαμε is the imperfect of νιώθω (we were feeling / we would feel).

So θα νιώθαμε corresponds very well to English we would feel in this kind of hypothetical sentence.

Why do we not say αν θα κάναμε? In English we say “if we would…” sometimes.

In standard Greek, you do not use θα in the αν-clause for this meaning.

Correct pattern:

Αν κάναμε … θα νιώθαμε …
If we did … we would feel …

Using αν θα κάναμε is generally considered incorrect or at least non‑standard in this type of conditional. Θα belongs in the result clause, not the αν-clause, when you mean “would …”.

What is the difference between κάναμε and a form with να, like να κάνουμε?

Κάναμε is a past indicative form (imperfect): a normal tense used for real past actions or, here, for unreal conditions.
Να κάνουμε is a subjunctive-type form, used after words like να, για να, πρέπει να, θέλω να etc., for wishes, purpose, necessity, etc.

In this sentence we want a conditional if clause, so we use αν κάναμε, not αν να κάνουμε. Αν takes indicative tenses here, not να + subjunctive.

What does πιο πολλή άσκηση literally mean? Isn’t that like saying “more much exercise”?

Literally, yes, it’s something like “more much exercise”, but it is normal colloquial Greek.

πιο = more
πολλή = much / a lot of (feminine singular form of πολύς)
άσκηση = exercise

So πιο πολλή άσκηση = more exercise.
Many speakers also say περισσότερη άσκηση, which is a bit more compact and often considered more “careful” or neutral style.

Why is it πολλή (with ή) and not πολύ or πολλοί?

Because πολλή is an adjective that agrees with άσκηση:

άσκηση is feminine, singular.
The matching form of πολύς is πολλή (feminine singular nominative/accusative).

Forms:

πολύ (without extra λ and with ύ) is usually an adverb:
- Μου αρέσει πολύ. = I like it a lot.
πολλοί is masculine plural (many [masculine] people/things):
- Πολλοί άνθρωποι. = Many people.

Here, πολλή must match άσκηση grammatically: πολλή άσκηση = a lot of exercise.

Could I say περισσότερη άσκηση instead of πιο πολλή άσκηση?

Yes, absolutely.

πιο πολλή άσκηση and περισσότερη άσκηση both mean “more exercise”.
περισσότερη is the comparative form of πολύς used as an adjective: more (of something countable/uncountable).

Both are common; περισσότερη άσκηση can sound a bit more neutral or slightly more formal, but both are fine.

Why is δυνατοί masculine plural? Does it refer to “we”?

Yes. The implied subject of both verbs is εμείς (we), which in Greek defaults to masculine plural if the group is mixed or unspecified.

Θα νιώθαμε = we would feel
πιο δυνατοί agrees with εμείς → masculine plural.

If the group is all female, many speakers still use masculine plural by default, but grammatically you can say:

Αν κάναμε πιο πολλή άσκηση, θα νιώθαμε πιο δυνατές.
(…we would feel stronger – all women)

Can I change the word order to put the result first?

Yes. Greek is flexible with this:

Αν κάναμε πιο πολλή άσκηση, θα νιώθαμε πιο δυνατοί.
Θα νιώθαμε πιο δυνατοί, αν κάναμε πιο πολλή άσκηση.

Both are natural. The meaning does not change; only the emphasis can shift slightly.

How would this sentence look in a more “real” present conditional, like “If we exercise more, we will feel stronger”?

For a real, possible situation in the present or future, Greek typically uses present (or subjunctive-like) forms and θα with present:

Αν κάνουμε πιο πολλή άσκηση, θα νιώθουμε πιο δυνατοί.
If we exercise more, we will feel / we’ll be feeling stronger.

Compare:

Αν κάνουμε … θα νιώθουμε … → real / likely situation.
Αν κάναμε … θα νιώθαμε … → unreal / hypothetical (we are not actually doing it).

Is there any difference between άσκηση and γυμναστική here?

In this context, both can be used and both refer to physical exercise:

πιο πολλή άσκηση = more exercise (general, also used for practice in other fields)
πιο πολλή γυμναστική = more physical exercise / working out

You could say:

Αν κάναμε πιο πολλή γυμναστική, θα νιώθαμε πιο δυνατοί.

The meaning in everyday speech would be practically the same.