Κρατάω το τηλέφωνο στο χέρι τώρα.

now

Breakdown of Κρατάω το τηλέφωνο στο χέρι τώρα.

• το τηλέφωνο: the phone
• στο χέρι: by hand
• κρατάω: to hold

Questions & Answers about Κρατάω το τηλέφωνο στο χέρι τώρα.

Where is the subject “I” in this sentence? Why don’t we see εγώ?

In Greek, the subject pronoun (εγώ = I) is usually left out because the verb ending already tells you who the subject is.

• Κρατάω ends in -ω, which marks 1st person singular (I).
• So Κρατάω το τηλέφωνο στο χέρι τώρα is understood as I am holding the phone in (my) hand now.

You only add εγώ for emphasis or contrast, e.g.:

• Εγώ κρατάω το τηλέφωνο, όχι εσύ.
  I am holding the phone, not you.

What is the difference between κρατάω and κρατώ? Which one should I use?

Both forms are correct and mean the same thing: I hold / I am holding.

• Κρατάω is more common in everyday spoken Greek.
• Κρατώ sounds a bit more formal or literary, but you will hear it in speech too.

In modern, casual Greek, you will mostly hear and use:

• Κρατάω το τηλέφωνο στο χέρι τώρα.

Does κρατάω mean I hold or I am holding? How does Greek show the continuous meaning?