Learn Hardcore Greek: Σε λίγα δευτερόλεπτα το λεωφορείο φεύγει, οπότε μπες μέσα τώρα. - In a few seconds the bus leaves, so get in now.

σε is a very flexible preposition that can mean in, at, on, to depending on context.
With expressions of time, σε + accusative often means in / after (a period of time).

So:

σε λίγα δευτερόλεπτα = in a few seconds
σε μία ώρα = in an hour
σε δύο μέρες = in two days

This is a regular pattern in Greek: σε + time word (accusative) = in ... (from now).

Why is it λίγα δευτερόλεπτα and not something like μερικά δευτερόλεπτα? Is there a difference?

Both λίγα δευτερόλεπτα and μερικά δευτερόλεπτα are possible and mean a few seconds, but there is a nuance:

λίγα = a small number/amount, often with a subtle sense of “not many, only a few”.
μερικά = some, more neutral, less focused on smallness.

In this sentence, Σε λίγα δευτερόλεπτα emphasizes that there is very little time left before the bus leaves, so λίγα fits the urgency of the situation better than μερικά would.

Grammatically, both λίγα and μερικά agree with δευτερόλεπτα (neuter plural).

What is the form δευτερόλεπτα? Why is it plural and what is the singular?

Singular: το δευτερόλεπτο = the second (unit of time)
Plural: τα δευτερόλεπτα = the seconds

In Σε λίγα δευτερόλεπτα, we have:

λίγα (neuter plural)
δευτερόλεπτα (neuter plural)

They agree in gender and number, as they should.

It is plural here because we are talking about a few seconds, not just one. In Greek, as in English, quantity words like λίγα require the plural of the noun: λίγα λεπτά, λίγες μέρες, λίγα δευτερόλεπτα, etc.

Why is it το λεωφορείο φεύγει (present tense) and not το λεωφορείο θα φύγει (future) if the bus leaves in the future?

Greek often uses the present tense to talk about a scheduled or very imminent future event, especially:

timetables (buses, trains, flights)
arranged events that are about to happen

So:

Το λεωφορείο φεύγει σε λίγα δευτερόλεπτα.
= The bus leaves in a few seconds. (scheduled / about to happen)

You could also say Το λεωφορείο θα φύγει σε λίγα δευτερόλεπτα, but that feels slightly less immediate and more like a simple statement of future fact.

Here, the present φεύγει adds urgency: the bus is just about to leave.

What is the difference between φεύγει and θα φύγει in general?

Both refer to leaving, but:

φεύγει: present tense of φεύγω
- Can mean is leaving / leaves now or in a scheduled future.
- Used here for a near, almost happening departure.
θα φύγει: future of φεύγω (actually built on the aorist stem φύγω)
- Simple future: will leave at some later point.
- Slightly more detached, less “right now”.

In spoken Greek, context and time expressions (σε λίγα δευτερόλεπτα, αύριο, σε μία ώρα) decide whether a present or a future form is used.

What exactly does οπότε mean here, and how is it different from άρα or γι’ αυτό?

In this sentence, οπότε means roughly so / so then / therefore:

Σε λίγα δευτερόλεπτα το λεωφορείο φεύγει, οπότε μπες μέσα τώρα.
= The bus leaves in a few seconds, so get on now.

Comparisons:

οπότε: often introduces a result or logical consequence in a fairly neutral, conversational tone.
γι’ αυτό: for that reason / that’s why, a bit more explicit about cause and effect.
άρα: thus / therefore, can sound slightly more formal or logical/argumentative.

All three could be used with some change in style or emphasis, but οπότε is very common in everyday speech for so (then).

Where does μπες come from, and why isn’t it something like μπαίνεις in the imperative?

Μπες is the aorist imperative (2nd person singular) of the verb μπαίνω = to enter / go in / get in.

Greek has two main imperative forms:

Present imperative (ongoing / repeated action):
- μπαίνε = keep going in / be entering (rare in this context)
Aorist imperative (single, complete action):
- μπες = enter once / get in (now)

In this sentence, the speaker wants a single, immediate action: Get on (the bus) now.
That is why the aorist imperative μπες is used instead of a present form.

Μπαίνεις is present indicative (you enter / you are entering), not imperative, so it cannot be used as a command.

Why do we say μπες μέσα and not just μπες? What does μέσα add?

Μπες already means enter / get in, but μέσα (inside) makes it more vivid and specific:

μπες = get in / enter (somewhere implied by context)
μπες μέσα = get in (inside), emphasizing the interior

Here, the implied place is the bus, so μπες μέσα naturally means get on (the bus) / get inside the bus.

You could also say:

Μπες στο λεωφορείο. = Get on the bus.

In very urgent speech, people might just say Μπες τώρα!, but μπες μέσα is very idiomatic and commonly used.

What is the difference between Μπες μέσα τώρα and Τώρα μπες μέσα? Does word order change the meaning?

Both are grammatical and mean Get in now, but there is a slight difference in emphasis:

Μπες μέσα τώρα.
- Neutral word order; the command μπες μέσα is primary, τώρα adds urgency at the end.
Τώρα μπες μέσα.
- Puts more stress on τώρα at the beginning: Now, get in (as in now, and not later).

In practice, both can be used in this context. The sentence you gave uses the most common-sounding pattern for quick spoken instructions: ...οπότε μπες μέσα τώρα.

Why is there a comma before οπότε?

In Greek, οπότε often works like a conjunction meaning so / therefore / and so, and it usually follows a comma when it connects two clauses:

Σε λίγα δευτερόλεπτα το λεωφορείο φεύγει, οπότε μπες μέσα τώρα.

This is similar to English punctuation with so:

The bus leaves in a few seconds, so get on now.

Without the comma, the sentence would be harder to read. The comma marks a pause and separates the reason (the bus is leaving) from the result/command (get in).

Is μπες formal or informal? How would I say this to more than one person or politely?

Μπες is:

2nd person singular, informal (to one person you know well: a friend, child, partner).

To address more than one person or to be polite/formal, use the plural imperative:

Μπείτε μέσα τώρα. = Get in now (to several people or politely to one person).

So you have:

Μπες μέσα τώρα. (singular, informal)
Μπείτε μέσα τώρα. (plural or polite)