Learn Hardcore Greek: Βάζω γραβάτα όταν πηγαίνω σε γάμο ή σε σοβαρή συνάντηση. - I wear a tie when I go to a wedding or to a serious meeting.

βάζω on its own = “I put / I place.”
With clothes it means “put on (clothing)”:
- βάζω παλτό = I put on a coat
- βάζω καπέλο = I put on a hat
- βάζω γραβάτα = I put on a tie

So the sentence focuses on the action of putting the tie on at that moment when you go to a wedding or serious meeting.

You can also say φοράω γραβάτα (or φορώ γραβάτα).

φοράω / φορώ = “I wear / I am wearing.”
Φοράω γραβάτα όταν πηγαίνω σε γάμο… = “I wear a tie when I go to a wedding…”

Both are correct in this sentence.

βάζω γραβάτα emphasizes the act of getting dressed for the occasion.
φοράω γραβάτα describes the state of wearing it in those situations.

In everyday speech, both are very natural here; the difference is subtle.

Why is there no article before γραβάτα? Could I say βάζω τη γραβάτα or βάζω μια γραβάτα?

In Greek, when talking generally about clothes you put on or wear, the article is often omitted:

Φοράω καπέλο. = I wear a hat.
Βγάζω παπούτσια. = I take off (my) shoes.
Βάζω γραβάτα. = I put on a tie.

Here the speaker is talking about the type of clothing in general (a tie), not a specific tie. That’s why there is no article.

You can use an article, but the meaning becomes more specific:

Βάζω τη γραβάτα.
= I put on the tie (a particular tie that both speaker and listener know about).
Βάζω μια γραβάτα.
= I put on a tie (one tie – maybe any tie, one of several).

You can also add a possessive if you want to be explicit:

Βάζω τη γραβάτα μου. = I put on my tie.

In the original sentence, the article is left out because we’re stating a general habit about wearing a tie in certain situations.

What grammatical case are γραβάτα, γάμο, and συνάντηση in, and why?

All three are in the accusative singular:

γραβάτα (from η γραβάτα) – direct object of the verb βάζω.
γάμο (from ο γάμος) – object of the preposition σε.
συνάντηση (from η συνάντηση) – also object of σε.

In Greek:

The direct object of a verb is in the accusative.
- Βάζω (τι;) γραβάτα. → accusative.
The preposition σε (“to / in / at”) always takes the accusative:
- σε (ποιον;) γάμο → accusative of γάμος.
- σε (ποια;) συνάντηση → accusative of συνάντηση.

You don’t see the articles here (τη, τον, τη), but if you add them, it’s clearer:

Βάζω τη γραβάτα.
Πηγαίνω στον γάμο. (σε + τον)
Πηγαίνω στη συνάντηση. (σε + τη)

So: accusative because they are direct objects or objects of σε.

Why is it πηγαίνω and not πάω? Are both correct?

Both πηγαίνω and πάω can mean “I go” in the present tense:

πηγαίνω = “I go / I’m going” (slightly more neutral / careful form).
πάω = shorter, very common in everyday speech.

In this sentence you could hear either:

…όταν πηγαίνω σε γάμο…
…όταν πάω σε γάμο…

Both are grammatically correct and natural.
Subtle points:

πηγαίνω often feels a bit more “full-form” or slightly more formal.
πάω is very frequent in everyday conversation and can sound a bit more casual.

For a learner, you can safely use either in this context. Native speakers use both all the time.

What’s the difference between όταν πηγαίνω and όταν πάω?

In practice, both can often translate as “when I go,” but there is a nuance to be aware of:

Όταν πηγαίνω…
- Clearly uses the present tense.
- Very naturally expresses a habitual / repeated action:
  - Όταν πηγαίνω στο γραφείο, παίρνω καφέ.
    = Whenever I go to the office, I get a coffee.
Όταν πάω…
- The form πάω is used as a present (“I go”) and as the basic form used in the future / subjunctive (να πάω, θα πάω).
- So όταν πάω can mean either:
  - “Whenever I go” (habit, like όταν πηγαίνω), or
  - “When I go (that time, in the future)” – often with a future verb in the main clause:
    - Όταν πάω στον γάμο, θα βάλω γραβάτα.
      = When I go to the wedding (this particular one), I will put on a tie.

In your sentence, because the main verb is also in the present (βάζω γραβάτα), both:

Βάζω γραβάτα όταν πηγαίνω σε γάμο…
Βάζω γραβάτα όταν πάω σε γάμο…

can describe a general habit.

For learners, όταν πηγαίνω is the “clearest” choice for the idea “whenever I go.”

Why do we say σε γάμο and not στον γάμο here?

The difference is indefinite vs definite:

σε γάμο = “to a wedding” (any wedding, in general).
στον γάμο (σε + τον γάμο) = “to the wedding” (a particular, known wedding).

The sentence:

Βάζω γραβάτα όταν πηγαίνω σε γάμο…

describes a general rule: whenever I go to a wedding (any wedding), I put on a tie. That’s why there is no definite article.

If you were talking about one specific event, you would use:

Βάζω γραβάτα όταν πηγαίνω στον γάμο του φίλου μου.
= I put on a tie when I go to my friend’s wedding.

Why is the preposition σε repeated: σε γάμο ή σε σοβαρή συνάντηση? Could I omit the second σε?

The full phrase is:

…όταν πηγαίνω σε γάμο ή σε σοβαρή συνάντηση.

Repeating σε is very natural and stylistically clean in Greek, especially when:

The two nouns are not a fixed pair.
The second noun has an adjective (σοβαρή συνάντηση).

You might hear in casual speech:

…σε γάμο ή σοβαρή συνάντηση.

This is understandable, but it sounds a bit less careful or less clear, because the listener briefly has to “carry” the σε over to the second noun.

So:

σε γάμο ή σε σοβαρή συνάντηση is the recommended, clear form.
Omitting the second σε is possible in informal speech, but less standard.

What nuance does σοβαρή συνάντηση have? Is it “serious”, “important”, or “formal”?

The adjective σοβαρή literally means “serious.”

With συνάντηση (“meeting”), σοβαρή συνάντηση usually implies:

A meeting where people act seriously,
often business-related or professional,
where appearance and behavior matter.

In English, depending on context, it can be translated as:

“serious meeting,”
“important meeting,”
or often “formal meeting.”

Compare with:

σημαντική συνάντηση = “important meeting” (importance of the outcome).
επίσημη συνάντηση = “official/formal meeting” (protocol, official character).

Σοβαρή συνάντηση focuses more on the tone and seriousness of the situation, but in everyday speech it often overlaps with “important” or “formal” meeting.

Why is it σοβαρή συνάντηση and not σοβαρό συνάντηση?

Adjectives in Greek must agree with the noun in gender, number, and case.

συνάντηση is feminine, singular, accusative.
The adjective σοβαρός (“serious”) has three main gender forms:
- masculine: σοβαρός
- feminine: σοβαρή
- neuter: σοβαρό

Since συνάντηση is feminine, we need the feminine form:

σοβαρή συνάντηση (feminine adjective + feminine noun).

σοβαρό συνάντηση would be ungrammatical, because σοβαρό is neuter and doesn’t match the feminine noun.

Can I change the word order to Όταν πηγαίνω σε γάμο ή σε σοβαρή συνάντηση, βάζω γραβάτα? Does that change the meaning?

Yes, you can absolutely change the word order:

Βάζω γραβάτα όταν πηγαίνω σε γάμο ή σε σοβαρή συνάντηση.
Όταν πηγαίνω σε γάμο ή σε σοβαρή συνάντηση, βάζω γραβάτα.

Both are grammatically correct and mean the same thing.

The difference is only in emphasis:

Starting with Βάζω γραβάτα… slightly emphasizes the action of putting on a tie.
Starting with Όταν πηγαίνω… slightly emphasizes the condition (“When I go to a wedding or a serious meeting…”).

Greek word order is fairly flexible. Moving the όταν-clause to the front is very natural here and doesn’t change the basic meaning.