Μαθαίνω ελληνικά εδώ και δύο χρόνια και το επίπεδό μου είναι καλύτερο τώρα.

to be

Breakdown of Μαθαίνω ελληνικά εδώ και δύο χρόνια και το επίπεδό μου είναι καλύτερο τώρα.

• τώρα: now
• και: and
• ελληνικά: in Greek

Questions & Answers about Μαθαίνω ελληνικά εδώ και δύο χρόνια και το επίπεδό μου είναι καλύτερο τώρα.

Why is Μαθαίνω translated as “I’ve been learning” and not just “I learn”? Isn’t it just the simple present?

In Greek, the simple present (ενεστώτας) often covers what English expresses with both:

• I learn Greek (simple present) and
• I’ve been learning Greek (present perfect continuous).

So Μαθαίνω ελληνικά can mean:

• I learn Greek / I study Greek (generally)
• I am learning Greek (now / these days)
• I’ve been learning Greek (especially when combined with a time expression, like here).

In this sentence, the phrase εδώ και δύο χρόνια (= for two years now) clearly shows it’s an action that started in the past and continues up to now. English normally uses “I’ve been learning” for that idea, but Greek is fine with just the simple present Μαθαίνω.

What exactly does εδώ και δύο χρόνια mean, and why does it translate as “for two years”?

εδώ και δύο χρόνια literally looks like “here and two years”, but as an expression it means:

for two years now / for the last two years

Usage:

• εδώ και + time period = “for (time) now”, an action that started in the past and is still going on now.

Examples:

• Μένω στην Αθήνα εδώ και πέντε χρόνια.
  → I’ve been living in Athens for five years.
• Τον ξέρω εδώ και πολύ καιρό.
  → I’ve known him for a long time.

It’s very close in meaning to English present perfect (continuous).
You cannot translate it word‑for‑word; you have to treat εδώ και as a fixed time expression.