Breakdown of Δεν σε ακούω καθαρά στη βιντεοκλήση.
Questions & Answers about Δεν σε ακούω καθαρά στη βιντεοκλήση.
Σε is the unstressed object pronoun you (singular) in the accusative case.
It means you as the thing being heard: I don’t hear you.
- εσύ = you (subject form, stressed), used when you do the action.
- Example: Εσύ ακούς; = Do you hear?
- σε = you (object form, unstressed), used when something happens to you.
- Example: Δεν σε ακούω. = I don’t hear you.
So Δεν σε ακούω literally = I don’t you-hear → I don’t hear you.
In Greek, object pronouns like σε are clitics and normally go before the verb in simple tenses:
- Δεν σε ακούω. ✅
- Δεν ακούω σε. ❌ (ungrammatical)
Basic pattern (present tense, simple sentence):
(Δεν) + object pronoun + verb
- Σε ακούω. = I hear you.
- Δεν σε βλέπω. = I don’t see you.
You don’t put σε after ακούω in this structure.
Δεν is the usual word for not / don’t / doesn’t / didn’t / can’t in statements:
- Δεν σε ακούω. = I don’t hear you.
- Δεν ήρθες. = You didn’t come.
There is another negative word, μη(ν), but that’s used mainly:
- In commands / prohibitions: Μην μιλάς. = Don’t talk.
- In certain subordinate clauses and special structures.
For a simple negative statement like I don’t hear you clearly, δεν is the correct choice.
Καθαρά here is an adverb, meaning clearly.
- καθαρός / καθαρή / καθαρό are adjectives (clean / clear) describing nouns.
- καθαρή εικόνα = a clear picture
- καθαρά is the corresponding adverb, describing how you hear.
- σε ακούω καθαρά = I hear you clearly.
Greek often forms adverbs from adjectives by using the -ά ending:
- καλός → καλά (good → well)
- σαφής → σαφώς (clear → clearly)
- καθαρός → καθαρά (clear → clearly)
Yes, you can say Δεν σε ακούω καλά, and it’s very common.
- καλά = well (general quality: volume, sound, etc.).
- I don’t hear you well.
- καθαρά = clearly (focus on clarity / distinctness).
- I don’t hear you clearly. (maybe it’s muffled, distorted, breaking up).
In practice, in the context of a video call, both are used a lot and often feel almost interchangeable, but καθαρά emphasizes that the sound isn’t clear.
Στη is a contraction of:
- σε (in, at, on, to) +
- τη(ν) (the, feminine singular, accusative)
So:
- σε + τη βιντεοκλήση → στη βιντεοκλήση
Meaning: on the video call / in the video call.
Greek almost always contracts σε + τη(ν):
- σε τη δουλειά → στη δουλειά = at work
- σε την πόλη → στην πόλη = in the city
Both come from σε την βιντεοκλήση, but in modern spelling the final -ν of την is usually dropped before most consonants.
We generally keep the -ν before:
- vowels
- and the consonants: κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ, μπ, ντ, γκ, τσ, τζ
Since β is not in that list, we normally write:
- στη βιντεοκλήση (standard spelling)
You will still sometimes see στην βιντεοκλήση in informal writing or for euphony, but στη βιντεοκλήση follows the common orthographic rule.
Βιντεοκλήση is:
- Gender: feminine
- Number: singular
- Case: accusative (object of σε / στη)
Clues:
- The article τη (in στη) is feminine singular accusative.
- The noun ends in -η, which very often marks feminine nouns:
- η πόλη (city), τη πόλη (to the city)
- η συνάντηση (meeting), τη συνάντηση (to the meeting)
- η βιντεοκλήση, τη βιντεοκλήση
So στη βιντεοκλήση literally = in/to the video call.
You can, but it slightly changes the feel.
- σε βιντεοκλήση = on a video call (more generic, like any video call)
- στη βιντεοκλήση = on the video call (a specific one you both know about — the call you’re on right now)
In the typical situation where you’re already talking on a particular call, στη βιντεοκλήση is the more natural choice.
Yes. Ακούω covers both English verbs, depending on context:
- hear (passive perception):
- Σε ακούω. = I hear you.
- listen (to) (active):
- Ακούω μουσική. = I’m listening to music.
- Ακούω τον δάσκαλο. = I’m listening to the teacher.
You don’t normally add a preposition like to after ακούω; the object goes directly:
- Ακούω εσένα. = I listen to you. / I hear you.
- Δεν σε ακούω. = I don’t hear you.
In standard word order with clitic pronouns, they come right before the verb in simple tenses:
- Δεν σε ακούω καθαρά. ✅
- Δεν ακούω καθαρά σε. ❌
Adverbs like καθαρά usually go after the verb (and object, if there is one):
- Σε ακούω καθαρά.
- Σε βλέπω καθαρά.
Greek clitic pronouns almost never wander to the very end of the sentence.
Yes, you can, but the meaning becomes more general:
- Δεν σε ακούω καθαρά στη βιντεοκλήση.
= I don’t hear you clearly on the video call. - Δεν ακούω καθαρά στη βιντεοκλήση.
= I don’t hear clearly on the video call.
(maybe no one is clear, or the sound in general is bad)
If you want to specifically say you, keep σε.
Both are object pronouns meaning you, but:
- σε = you (singular, informal you)
- σας = you (plural you all, or formal you to one person)
So:
Δεν σε ακούω καθαρά στη βιντεοκλήση.
= I don’t hear you clearly (talking to one person informally).Δεν σας ακούω καθαρά στη βιντεοκλήση.
= I don’t hear you (all) clearly
or
= I don’t hear you (sir/ma’am, formal) clearly.
In speech, δεν often loses the final -ν before many consonants and sounds like δε:
- Δεν σε ακούω is often pronounced Δε σε ακούω.
In writing, modern Greek usually keeps δεν as the standard form, except:
- You may see δε in very informal texts or to reflect spoken language.
- With other articles/pronouns (τον, την, έναν) there are clearer spelling rules for dropping the final -ν, but δεν is commonly written with the ν.
So you’ll normally write Δεν σε ακούω, but say it more like Δε σε ακούω.
Approximate pronunciation (stressed syllables in CAPS, rough English-like transcription):
- Δεν → /ðen/ (like “then” with a th)
- σε → /se/
- ακούω → /aˈku.o/ (a-KÚ-o; sometimes sounds more like a-KÚ)
- καθαρά → /kaθaˈra/ (ka-tha-RÁ)
- στη → /sti/
- βιντεοκλήση → /vindeoˈklisi/ (vee-n-de-o-KLEE-see)
So together:
Δεν σε ακούω καθαρά στη βιντεοκλήση.
/ðen se aˈku.o kaθaˈra sti vindeoˈklisi/
Main stresses: aKÚo – kathARÁ – vindeoKLÍsi.