Δεν ακούω καλά τη φωνή σου στη βιντεοκλήση.

Breakdown of Δεν ακούω καλά τη φωνή σου στη βιντεοκλήση.

καλά
well
δεν
not
σου
your
σε
on
η βιντεοκλήση
the video call
ακούω
to hear
η φωνή
the voice
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Questions & Answers about Δεν ακούω καλά τη φωνή σου στη βιντεοκλήση.

Why is the negative word Δεν used here and not Μη(ν)?

Δεν is the standard negative used with normal (indicative) verb forms, like ακούω (I hear / I am hearing).

  • Δεν goes before a finite verb in statements:

    • Δεν ακούω καλά… = I don’t hear well…
    • Δεν δουλεύει. = It doesn’t work.
  • Μη(ν) is used mainly:

    • with the subjunctive: να μην ακούω
    • with negative commands: Μην ακούς! = Don’t listen!
    • in some fixed expressions.

So in a simple statement like this, Δεν is the correct negative.

Why is there no word for “I” in the sentence?

Greek usually omits subject pronouns because the verb ending already shows who the subject is.

  • ακούω = I hear
  • ακούς = you hear
  • ακούει = he / she / it hears

So Δεν ακούω καλά… automatically means I don’t hear well… without needing Εγώ.

You can add Εγώ (Εγώ δεν ακούω καλά…) for emphasis, like “I don’t hear well (but maybe you do).”

Why is καλά placed after ακούω? Can it go somewhere else?

καλά is an adverb meaning “well,” and the most neutral position is right after the verb:

  • Δεν ακούω καλά τη φωνή σου…

You can move it, but the emphasis changes slightly:

  • Δεν ακούω τη φωνή σου καλά στη βιντεοκλήση.
    • Sounds a bit like you’re focusing on the voice in contrast to something else.
  • Στη βιντεοκλήση δεν ακούω καλά τη φωνή σου.
    • Emphasizes “on the video call” (as opposed to in person, on the phone, etc.).

All of these are grammatical; the original word order is the most neutral and natural.

Why is it τη φωνή σου and not η φωνή σου?

Greek uses cases. Here, η φωνή (the voice) is the object of the verb ακούω (hear), so it must be in the accusative case:

  • Nominative (subject): η φωνή = the voice
  • Accusative (object): τη(ν) φωνή = the voice (as object)

Because we are hearing something (the voice), it becomes:

  • ακούω τη φωνή = I hear the voice

Then we add the possessive σου (your):

  • ακούω τη φωνή σου = I hear your voice.
Why is it τη φωνή and not την φωνή?

The feminine article in the accusative is την, but in modern spelling the final is often dropped before certain consonants.

Common rule (non‑very‑formal writing): keep mainly before:

  • vowels
  • κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ, γκ, μπ, ντ, τσ, τζ

Since φωνή starts with φ, the ν is normally dropped:

  • τη φωνή (standard modern spelling)

You might still see την φωνή (more old‑fashioned or very careful spelling), but τη φωνή is what you’ll see most often today.

Why is σου after φωνή and not before it like in English “your voice”?

Greek possessive pronouns (my, your, his, etc.) usually come after the noun as clitics:

  • η φωνή μου = my voice
  • η φωνή σου = your voice
  • η φωνή του = his voice

So the pattern is:

  • article + noun + possessive pronoun
  • η φωνή σου = the voice your → your voice

If you put the possessive before, with δικός / δική / δικό, you’re adding emphasis or contrast, not just simple possession:

  • η δική σου φωνή = your voice (as opposed to someone else’s)
Could I say Δεν σε ακούω καλά instead of Δεν ακούω καλά τη φωνή σου? Is there a difference?

Yes, Δεν σε ακούω καλά is very common and completely natural.

Meaning nuance:

  • Δεν σε ακούω καλά.

    • Literally: “I don’t hear you well.”
    • Very direct and typical in conversations and calls.
  • Δεν ακούω καλά τη φωνή σου.

    • Literally: “I don’t hear your voice well.”
    • Slightly more explicit/technical; it points specifically to the voice (volume, clarity, quality).

Functionally, in context of a video call, both usually mean the same thing: you can’t hear the other person clearly.

What exactly is στη here? Is it one word or two?

στη is the contracted form of the preposition σε + the feminine article τη(ν):

  • σε
    • τη (βιντεοκλήση)στη βιντεοκλήση

So structurally, it means:

  • σε (= in / at / on)
  • τη βιντεοκλήση (= the video call, accusative)

The contraction στη is standard and much more natural than saying σε τη βιντεοκλήση separately. With feminine singular, the usual contracted forms are:

  • σε + τη(ν)στη(ν)
  • σε + τιςστις (for plural).
Why is βιντεοκλήση in this form? What gender and case is it?

βιντεοκλήση is a feminine noun. Its basic (dictionary) form is the nominative singular: η βιντεοκλήση.

In the sentence, it appears after σε / στη, and σε always takes the accusative case:

  • Nominative: η βιντεοκλήση (subject)
  • Accusative: τη βιντεοκλήση

So στη βιντεοκλήση literally is σε + τη βιντεοκλήση = “on the video call / in the video call.”

Can I leave out τη φωνή σου and just say Δεν ακούω καλά στη βιντεοκλήση?

Yes, you can.

  • Δεν ακούω καλά στη βιντεοκλήση.
    • “I don’t hear well on the video call.”

This sounds a bit more general: maybe the sound is bad, or you personally have trouble hearing in that situation.

  • Δεν ακούω καλά τη φωνή σου στη βιντεοκλήση.
    • More specifically: your voice on the video call isn’t coming through clearly.

Both are natural; you choose depending on whether you want to focus on the call in general or specifically on the other person’s voice.

Is βιντεοκλήση just “video call” in Greek? Is there any other way to say it?

Yes, η βιντεοκλήση is the common everyday word for “video call.”

There are a few related words/phrases you might see:

  • κάνω βιντεοκλήση = I make/do a video call
  • είμαι σε βιντεοκλήση = I’m on a video call
  • Older/more formal: τηλεδιάσκεψη (more like “teleconference,” often for meetings).

For normal conversation, βιντεοκλήση is the standard term.

Could I say Δεν μπορώ να ακούσω καλά τη φωνή σου instead? Does that change the meaning?

You can, and it’s correct:

  • Δεν μπορώ να ακούσω καλά τη φωνή σου στη βιντεοκλήση.

Nuance:

  • Δεν ακούω καλά…

    • Focuses on what is happening right now: “I’m not hearing well.”
  • Δεν μπορώ να ακούσω καλά…

    • Adds the idea of inability / “I’m not able to hear well.”

In context, they’re very close in meaning; Δεν ακούω καλά… is a bit shorter and more direct for describing the current quality of the sound.

Is the word order fixed, or could I start with Στη βιντεοκλήση?

You can change the word order for emphasis. All of these are possible:

  • Δεν ακούω καλά τη φωνή σου στη βιντεοκλήση. (neutral)
  • Στη βιντεοκλήση δεν ακούω καλά τη φωνή σου.
    • Emphasizes “on the video call.”
  • Τη φωνή σου δεν ακούω καλά στη βιντεοκλήση.
    • Emphasizes “your voice” (maybe I hear other sounds fine).

Greek word order is flexible; what tends to stay together is:

  • Δεν directly before the verb, and
  • noun + its possessive (τη φωνή σου) as a unit.