Learn Hardcore Greek: Η βαθμολογία δεν είναι το πιο σημαντικό, ο δικός μου στόχος είναι να απολαμβάνω καθημερινά τη γλώσσα. - The grade is not the most important thing, my own goal is to enjoy the language every day.

However, in δεν είναι το πιο σημαντικό, the adjective σημαντικό is neuter singular, and it does not refer directly to βαθμολογία. Instead, it refers to an implied neuter noun, usually πράγμα (thing):

(Η βαθμολογία) δεν είναι το πιο σημαντικό (πράγμα).
= The grade is not the most important thing.

Because πράγμα is neuter, the adjective σημαντικό also appears in the neuter, and it takes the neuter article το.

What exactly does βαθμολογία mean here? Is it “grade”, “grades”, or “grading”?

Βαθμολογία is a noun meaning:

the grade/mark/score you get on a test, OR
the system or act of grading/marking, depending on context.

In this sentence, it most naturally means:

“the grade” / “the score” (on exams, tests, assignments, etc.)

If you wanted to say “a grade” more specifically, Greek might also use ο βαθμός (masculine), but η βαθμολογία is very common when talking about grades in general or your overall score.

Why is the article το used in το πιο σημαντικό? Could we say just πιο σημαντικό?

Greek typically uses the definite article with superlatives or “the most …” structures:

το πιο σημαντικό = the most important (thing)

Without the article:

πιο σημαντικό would mean “more important”, not “the most important”.

So:

Δεν είναι το πιο σημαντικό = It’s not the most important (thing).
Δεν είναι πιο σημαντικό = It’s not more important.

Here the speaker clearly means “the most important (thing)”, so το is required.

Why do we say ο δικός μου στόχος instead of just ο στόχος μου?

Both are correct, but there is a nuance:

ο στόχος μου = my goal (neutral, standard way)
ο δικός μου στόχος = my own goal / my personal goal (emphasis on “my”)

The structure δικός μου / δική μου / δικό μου is a strong possessive, used to emphasize the owner:

ο φίλος μου = my friend
ο δικός μου φίλος = my friend (as opposed to someone else’s)

So ο δικός μου στόχος suggests:

“my particular aim”, “for me personally, my goal is …”

What is the function of μου in ο δικός μου στόχος? Is this a pronoun or something else?

Yes, μου here is the weak (unaccented) genitive form of the first person singular pronoun:

εγώ = I
μου = my / (to) me

In ο δικός μου στόχος, μου attaches to δικός to make the possessive meaning:

δικός
- μου → δικός μου = mine / my own

So grammatically:

ο (article, masc. sing.)
δικός (possessive adjective, masc. sing.)
μου (weak genitive pronoun)
στόχος (noun, masc. sing.)

Together: ο δικός μου στόχος = my own goal.

Why do we use να απολαμβάνω and not just απολαμβάνω without να?

In Greek, να + verb usually forms what is called the subjunctive or “dependent” form. After many verbs and expressions of desire, intention, purpose, etc., Greek requires να:

Ο στόχος μου είναι να απολαμβάνω…
= My goal is to enjoy …

Here, να απολαμβάνω functions like the English infinitive “to enjoy”. You generally cannot say:

✗ Ο στόχος μου είναι απολαμβάνω…

You need να when expressing:

wishes: θέλω να… (I want to…)
aims: στόχος μου είναι να… (my goal is to…)
possibilities, etc.

Why is it να απολαμβάνω (imperfective) and not να απολαύσω (perfective)?

Greek verb aspect matters:

να απολαμβάνω (imperfective aspect) = to be enjoying, to enjoy habitually / continuously
να απολαύσω (perfective aspect) = to enjoy (once), to enjoy in a single, complete event

In να απολαμβάνω καθημερινά τη γλώσσα, the idea is:

enjoying the language every day, as an ongoing habit.

So the imperfective απολαμβάνω matches the repeated, continuous nature of καθημερινά (every day).
If we used να απολαύσω, it would sound like aiming to enjoy it once or in a single completed episode, which does not fit “every day”.

What does καθημερινά mean exactly, and what part of speech is it?

Καθημερινά here is an adverb meaning:

every day, on a daily basis

It comes from the adjective καθημερινός, -ή, -ό = daily, everyday.

As an adverb, it modifies the verb:

να απολαμβάνω καθημερινά τη γλώσσα
= to enjoy the language every day / on a daily basis.

Why is it τη γλώσσα and not την γλώσσα?

The full accusative feminine singular article is την:

την πόλη, την χώρα, την γλώσσα

However, in spoken and standard written Greek, the final -ν often drops before certain consonants. Before γ (gamma), it’s very common to write and say τη:

τη γλώσσα instead of την γλώσσα

So:

την is the full form,
τη is the shortened form used before many consonants (including γ).

Both forms are understood; τη γλώσσα is simply the usual, more natural-sounding version here.

Why do we use the article τη with γλώσσα? In English we say “enjoy language” or “enjoy the language” – what is the rule?

Greek uses definite articles much more often than English, even with abstract or general nouns.

τη γλώσσα here means “the language”, but in context it can correspond to English “the language” or simply “language”.

In Greek, when talking about a specific language you are learning, it is normal to use the definite article:

Μου αρέσει η γλώσσα. = I like the language.
Θέλω να μάθω τη γλώσσα. = I want to learn the language.

So να απολαμβάνω καθημερινά τη γλώσσα = to enjoy the language every day, meaning the particular language being studied (here: Greek).

Can you explain the word order Η βαθμολογία δεν είναι το πιο σημαντικό? Where does δεν usually go?

In Greek, the negative particle δεν usually comes immediately before the verb:

είναι (is) → δεν είναι (is not)

The pattern is:

[subject] + δεν + [verb] + (rest of the sentence)

So:

Η βαθμολογία (subject)
δεν είναι (negative + verb “is”)
το πιο σημαντικό (complement)

→ Η βαθμολογία δεν είναι το πιο σημαντικό.

You normally wouldn’t separate δεν and είναι with other words.

Is there any difference between το πιο σημαντικό and το σημαντικότερο?

Both can mean “the most important”, but:

το πιο σημαντικό = the more common, everyday structure (the more important → the most important)
το σημαντικότερο = the synthetic superlative form, a bit more formal or concise

In most modern spoken Greek, το πιο σημαντικό is more frequent and sounds very natural.
So:

Η βαθμολογία δεν είναι το πιο σημαντικό.
Η βαθμολογία δεν είναι το σημαντικότερο.

Both are grammatical; the meaning is essentially the same here.

Why is there a comma between the two parts of the sentence, and not και?

The sentence is:

Η βαθμολογία δεν είναι το πιο σημαντικό, ο δικός μου στόχος είναι να απολαμβάνω καθημερινά τη γλώσσα.

This is effectively two independent clauses placed side by side:

Η βαθμολογία δεν είναι το πιο σημαντικό.
Ο δικός μου στόχος είναι να απολαμβάνω καθημερινά τη γλώσσα.

Greek often uses a comma or just juxtaposition (no conjunction) where English might use “and” or “but”. You could also write:

Η βαθμολογία δεν είναι το πιο σημαντικό και ο δικός μου στόχος είναι να απολαμβάνω…
Η βαθμολογία δεν είναι το πιο σημαντικό, ενώ ο δικός μου στόχος είναι…

The version with just a comma has a slightly more compact, statement-like feel:
first we downplay the importance of grades, then we immediately state the real goal.