Προσπαθώ να έχω σταθερό πρόγραμμα, με λίγη εξάσκηση κάθε πρωί.

I try to have a steady schedule, with a bit of practice every morning.

Breakdown of Προσπαθώ να έχω σταθερό πρόγραμμα, με λίγη εξάσκηση κάθε πρωί.

• λίγος: little
• έχω: to have
• να: to
• με: with
• προσπαθώ: to try
• το πρόγραμμα: the schedule
• κάθε πρωί: every morning
• η εξάσκηση: the practice
• σταθερός: steady

Questions & Answers about Προσπαθώ να έχω σταθερό πρόγραμμα, με λίγη εξάσκηση κάθε πρωί.

Why does προσπαθώ take να έχω after it? Is να έχω like a subjunctive, and could you leave να out?

In modern Greek, many verbs of wanting/trying/etc. are followed by να + verb, which functions similarly to the subjunctive in other languages.

• Προσπαθώ να έχω… = I try to have…
• να is required here; you cannot say ✗ προσπαθώ έχω σταθερό πρόγραμμα.
• Grammatically, να έχω is often called the subjunctive form or να-clause, but in modern Greek it’s mostly about structure rather than “mood” in the old-fashioned sense.

So:

• Προσπαθώ να έχω σταθερό πρόγραμμα literally: I am trying that I have a stable schedule → I try to have a stable schedule.

Why is it έχω σταθερό πρόγραμμα and not something like κρατάω σταθερό πρόγραμμα or ακολουθώ σταθερό πρόγραμμα?

Έχω σταθερό πρόγραμμα is the most natural, basic way to say have a regular/steady schedule.

• έχω πρόγραμμα = I have a (set) schedule / plan.
• σταθερό πρόγραμμα = a stable, consistent schedule.

You can say:

• κρατάω σταθερό πρόγραμμα = I maintain a stable schedule (a bit more literally “keep up” a routine).
• ακολουθώ ένα σταθερό πρόγραμμα = I follow a stable schedule (focus on following something pre-decided).

But in everyday speech, έχω σταθερό πρόγραμμα is very normal and sounds simple and natural, especially in a sentence about trying to build a habit.

What exactly does σταθερό πρόγραμμα mean here? Is it more like “schedule” or “routine”?

Σταθερό πρόγραμμα here means a regular, consistent routine or schedule, especially in terms of time.

• πρόγραμμα = program, schedule, plan, timetable.
• σταθερό = stable, steady, consistent.

In English, depending on context, you might translate it as:

• a regular schedule
• a stable routine
• a consistent timetable

All of these are close. The Greek phrase focuses on consistency: doing things in a similar way and time every day.

Why is there a comma before με λίγη εξάσκηση κάθε πρωί?

The comma separates the main idea from an additional detail that explains how the speaker tries to have a stable schedule.

• Προσπαθώ να έχω σταθερό πρόγραμμα,
  → I try to have a stable schedule,
• με λίγη εξάσκηση κάθε πρωί.
  → with a bit of practice every morning.

You could also write it without a comma in casual writing, but with the comma it reads more clearly as:

• Main clause: Προσπαθώ να έχω σταθερό πρόγραμμα
• Extra explanation: (και το κάνω) με λίγη εξάσκηση κάθε πρωί → (and I do that) with a little practice every morning

What does με mean in με λίγη εξάσκηση? Is it “with” in the sense of “together with”, or “by doing”?

Here με has an instrumental meaning: by means of, through.

• με λίγη εξάσκηση ≈ by doing a little practice / with a bit of practice.

It’s not “together with someone” (like with my friend); it’s more like:

• I achieve the stable schedule by using this method: a bit of practice every morning.

So με + accusative can often be understood as:

• με καφέ = with coffee / by having coffee
• με λίγη εξάσκηση = with a bit of practice / by practising a little

Why is it λίγη εξάσκηση and not λίγο εξάσκηση?

Because εξάσκηση is a feminine noun, so the adjective must agree in gender, number, and case.

• εξάσκηση → feminine, singular, accusative.
• Feminine form of “a little” here is λίγη.
• Neuter form λίγο would be wrong with this noun: ✗ λίγο εξάσκηση.

Compare:

• λίγη εξάσκηση (fem.) = a little practice
• λίγος χρόνος (masc.) = a little time
• λίγο νερό (neut.) = a little water

What’s the difference between εξάσκηση, άσκηση, and πρακτική?

All three can relate to “practice”, but they have different common uses:

• εξάσκηση

  • Most directly: practice, exercising a skill.
  • Often for language, music, sports skills, etc.
  • κάνω εξάσκηση στα ελληνικά = I practise Greek.

• άσκηση

  • exercise in general; also a written exercise in books.
  • σωματική άσκηση = physical exercise.
  • ασκήσεις γραμματικής = grammar exercises.

• πρακτική

  • Often: internship, practical training.
  • κάνω πρακτική = I do an internship/practicum.

In this context (daily practice of something, likely a skill), εξάσκηση is the most natural word.

Why is there no article before σταθερό πρόγραμμα and λίγη εξάσκηση?

Greek often omits the article when talking about something in a general, non-specific, or quantitative way.

• σταθερό πρόγραμμα (no article) = a stable schedule / stable scheduling in general, not one specific, clearly defined program.
• λίγη εξάσκηση (no article) = a bit of practice (indefinite amount).

If you used articles, it would sound more specific:

• το σταθερό πρόγραμμα = the stable schedule (a particular schedule already known in context).
• η λίγη εξάσκηση = usually odd here; it would sound like the small amount of practice (we mentioned).

So omission here keeps the meaning general: a stable schedule; some practice.

What does κάθε in κάθε πρωί mean exactly, and could you say this in another way?

Κάθε means every / each.

• κάθε πρωί = every morning.

Other natural variants:

• κάθε μέρα το πρωί = every day in the morning.
• τα πρωινά (colloquial) = in the mornings (as a general habit), e.g.
  Τα πρωινά κάνω λίγη εξάσκηση. = In the mornings, I do a bit of practice.

But κάθε πρωί is the most direct equivalent of every morning.

Could the word order be different, like με λίγη εξάσκηση κάθε πρωί προσπαθώ να έχω σταθερό πρόγραμμα? Does it change the meaning?

Yes, Greek word order is quite flexible, and you can move phrases for emphasis.

Possible variants:

• Προσπαθώ να έχω σταθερό πρόγραμμα με λίγη εξάσκηση κάθε πρωί. (no comma)
• Με λίγη εξάσκηση κάθε πρωί, προσπαθώ να έχω σταθερό πρόγραμμα.
• Προσπαθώ, με λίγη εξάσκηση κάθε πρωί, να έχω σταθερό πρόγραμμα.

The meaning stays basically the same: I try to have a stable schedule by doing a bit of practice every morning.
Only the emphasis and rhythm change slightly; putting με λίγη εξάσκηση κάθε πρωί at the beginning highlights the method more strongly.

How is προσπαθώ conjugated, and what person/tense is it here?

Προσπαθώ is:

• Person: 1st person singular (“I”)
• Tense: present
• Aspect: imperfective (ongoing, repeated effort)

Basic present tense of προσπαθώ (I try):

• εγώ προσπαθώ – I try
• εσύ προσπαθείς – you try
• αυτός/αυτή/αυτό προσπαθεί – he/she/it tries
• εμείς προσπαθούμε – we try
• εσείς προσπαθείτε – you (pl./formal) try
• αυτοί/αυτές/αυτά προσπαθούν(ε) – they try

The stress is on the last syllable: προ-σπα-ΘΩ.

How do you pronounce πρόγραμμα and what sound does the γγρ/γρ combination make?

Πρόγραμμα is pronounced roughly: PRO-ghra-ma.

Syllables and stress:

• πρό-γραμ-μα → stress on the first syllable: ΠΡΟ.

About the consonants:

• γρ here is like a voiced “gh” + r:
  • γ before ρ sounds like a hard “gh” in the back of the throat.
  • So γρα ≈ “ghra”, not like English “gra” in “grab”.

So you get: ΠΡΟ-ghra-ma (Greek “r” is rolled or tapped).