Όταν όμως η δασκάλα εξηγεί αργά, δεν είμαι πια τόσο μπερδεμένος.

to be

Breakdown of Όταν όμως η δασκάλα εξηγεί αργά, δεν είμαι πια τόσο μπερδεμένος.

• δεν: not
• αργά: slowly
• όταν: when

Questions & Answers about Όταν όμως η δασκάλα εξηγεί αργά, δεν είμαι πια τόσο μπερδεμένος.

What is the function of Όταν here? Does it mean “when” or “whenever,” and does it require a special tense?

Όταν means when / whenever and it introduces a time clause.

In this sentence:

• Όταν όμως η δασκάλα εξηγεί αργά = When / Whenever the teacher explains slowly

With Όταν in general:

• For repeated / general actions, Greek normally uses the present tense in both clauses (as here).
• For one specific event in the past, you usually see past tenses in both clauses.

Examples:

• Όταν διαβάζω, δεν θέλω φασαρία. – When/whenever I study, I don’t want noise.
• Όταν ήμουν μικρός, έπαιζα έξω. – When I was young, I used to play outside.

What does όμως add to the meaning, and why is it placed after Όταν?

Όμως means roughly but / however. It marks a contrast with what was said before, e.g.:

• “Usually I’m confused. But when the teacher explains slowly, I’m not so confused anymore.”

Position:

• It often comes second in the clause, after the first word or phrase:
  • Όμως δεν καταλαβαίνω.
  • Εγώ όμως δεν καταλαβαίνω.
  • Όταν όμως η δασκάλα εξηγεί αργά…

Putting it first (Όμως όταν…) is also possible in some contexts, but Όταν όμως… is very natural and common in spoken Greek.

Why is it η δασκάλα and not something like η δάσκαλα? What’s the gender and form here?