Τώρα κάνω δίαιτα και τρώω λιγότερα γλυκά.

Now I am on a diet and I eat fewer sweets.

Breakdown of Τώρα κάνω δίαιτα και τρώω λιγότερα γλυκά.

• τώρα: now
• και: and
• τρώω: to eat
• το γλυκό: the dessert
• λιγότερος: fewer
• κάνω δίαιτα: to be on a diet

Questions & Answers about Τώρα κάνω δίαιτα και τρώω λιγότερα γλυκά.

Why do we say κάνω δίαιτα instead of something like είμαι σε δίαιτα, like I am on a diet in English?

In Greek, the natural expression is κάνω δίαιτα, literally I do a diet.

Greek very often uses κάνω (to do/make) with nouns to form what in English would be verb phrases or expressions:

• κάνω μπάνιο = I take a bath / shower
• κάνω γυμναστική = I exercise / work out
• κάνω διάλειμμα = I take a break
• κάνω δίαιτα = I am on a diet

You can hear είμαι σε δίαιτα, but it sounds much less natural and a bit like a literal translation from English. The everyday, idiomatic way is κάνω δίαιτα.

The English meaning is I’m on a diet. Why is the Greek in the simple present (κάνω, τρώω) and not some kind of continuous form?

Greek uses the present tense for both:

• I do and I am doing
• I eat and I am eating

There is no separate continuous form like English am doing / am eating.
So:

• κάνω δίαιτα can mean I’m doing a diet / I’m on a diet (right now, these days)
• τρώω λιγότερα γλυκά can mean I eat fewer sweets or I’m eating fewer sweets

The context (and often words like τώρα) tells you whether it is a general habit, a temporary situation, or something happening these days.

What exactly does τώρα mean here? Is it now, at this very moment or these days?

Τώρα literally means now, but it’s flexible:

• strictly right now:
  
  • Τώρα τρώω. = I’m eating now (this moment).
• these days / currently:
  
  • Τώρα κάνω δίαιτα. = I’m on a diet these days / at the moment (in my life right now).

In this sentence, τώρα is usually understood as currently / these days, not only this exact second.

Why is δίαιτα feminine? How do I know the gender of this noun?

Δίαιτα ends in -α, which is very often (though not always) a feminine ending.
Its full article form is:

• η δίαιτα (the diet) – feminine

In many cases, you simply have to learn the gender with the noun:

• η μέρα (the day) – feminine
• ο σκύλος (the dog) – masculine
• το βιβλίο (the book) – neuter

With time you’ll spot patterns, but there are exceptions, so it’s best to memorize η δίαιτα as a whole phrase.

Why is it λιγότερα γλυκά and not λιγότερο γλυκά?

Λιγότερα is agreeing in gender, number, and case with γλυκά.

• γλυκό (singular, neuter) = sweet / dessert
• γλυκά (plural, neuter) = sweets, desserts

Since γλυκά is neuter plural, the adjective/quantifier must also be neuter plural:

• λιγότερα γλυκά = fewer sweets

Λιγότερο is neuter singular, so it would match a singular noun:

• λιγότερο γλυκό = less sweet / less dessert (not what we mean here)

So the pairing is:

• το γλυκό – λιγότερο γλυκό (singular)
• τα γλυκά – λιγότερα γλυκά (plural)

What is the difference between λιγότερα and πιο λίγα in this context?

Both can be used and both are understood as fewer:

• τρώω λιγότερα γλυκά
• τρώω πιο λίγα γλυκά

Differences:

• λιγότερα is the comparative form of λίγα (few).
• πιο λίγα is literally more few, using πιο (more) plus the basic form.

In everyday speech, they are very close in meaning, with λιγότερα sounding a bit more compact and maybe slightly more neutral. You can safely use λιγότερα γλυκά as your default.

Does γλυκά mean sweets, desserts, or just anything sweet?

Γλυκά (plural of γλυκό) usually means sweets / desserts in general:

• cakes
• pastries
• cookies
• chocolates
• puddings, etc.

So λιγότερα γλυκά is fewer sweets or less dessert food.

The adjective γλυκός, -ή, -ό on its own means sweet (taste, personality, sometimes affection), but το γλυκό / τα γλυκά as nouns = dessert(s).

Why is there no word for I in κάνω and τρώω? Shouldn’t it be εγώ κάνω?

Greek verbs are conjugated so that the ending shows the subject.

• κάνω = I do
• κάνεις = you do
• κάνει = he / she / it does
• τρώω = I eat
• τρώς = you eat
• τρώει = he / she / it eats

Because the subject is clear from the verb ending, Greek normally drops the personal pronoun:

• Κάνω δίαιτα. = I am on a diet.
• Τρώω λιγότερα γλυκά. = I eat fewer sweets.

You only use εγώ if you want to emphasize:

• Εγώ κάνω δίαιτα, αλλά εσύ όχι. = I am on a diet, but you are not.

Could I say Τώρα είμαι σε δίαιτα και τρώω λιγότερα γλυκά? Is that wrong?

It is understandable, but it sounds unnatural to native speakers.

Greek strongly prefers:

• Τώρα κάνω δίαιτα και τρώω λιγότερα γλυκά.

Είμαι σε δίαιτα feels like a direct translation from English I am on a diet. It might appear sometimes, but it’s not the standard idiomatic phrasing. For natural Greek, stay with κάνω δίαιτα.

Can I move τώρα to another position, like Κάνω τώρα δίαιτα or Κάνω δίαιτα τώρα?

Yes, τώρα is quite flexible in position. All of these are grammatically correct:

• Τώρα κάνω δίαιτα και τρώω λιγότερα γλυκά.
• Κάνω τώρα δίαιτα και τρώω λιγότερα γλυκά.
• Κάνω δίαιτα τώρα και τρώω λιγότερα γλυκά.

Nuances:

• At the beginning (Τώρα κάνω δίαιτα…): neutral, very common.
• After the verb (Κάνω τώρα δίαιτα…): often adds a bit of emphasis to now / at this stage.
• At the end (Κάνω δίαιτα τώρα…): can sound like you’re contrasting with the past: I’m on a diet now (but I wasn’t before).

For learners, putting τώρα at the beginning is safe and natural.

Why is τρώω spelled with two ω and not just one?

The verb τρώω (I eat) historically comes from a longer form and has kept a double ω in the 1st person singular and 3rd person plural:

• τρώω = I eat
• τρως = you eat
• τρώει = he / she / it eats
• τρώμε = we eat
• τρώτε = you (pl.) eat
• τρώνε / τρών = they eat

The spelling with two ω is just part of modern standard orthography. It doesn’t change the pronunciation (it’s still tró-o, almost like two syllables that blend together). It’s something you need to memorize.

Is there any difference between δίαιτα and διατροφή?

Yes:

• δίαιτα = diet in the sense of being on a weight‑loss or special eating plan
  
  • Κάνω δίαιτα. = I’m on a diet (usually to lose weight).
• διατροφή = nutrition / way of eating in a more general, long‑term sense
  
  • Έχω υγιεινή διατροφή. = I have a healthy diet / I eat healthily.

So in Τώρα κάνω δίαιτα, the idea is: Right now I’m on some kind of dieting plan, not just I have a certain style of eating.

Is there a difference between τρώω λιγότερα γλυκά and τρώω λίγα γλυκά?

Yes:

• τρώω λίγα γλυκά = I eat few sweets (in general, my quantity is small)
  
  • No explicit comparison; it just says the amount is small.
• τρώω λιγότερα γλυκά = I eat fewer sweets (than before or than someone else)
  
  • This is comparative; it implies contrast with another time or situation.

In the original sentence with Τώρα κάνω δίαιτα, the idea is a change: now, because of the diet, you eat fewer sweets than before, so λιγότερα is the natural choice.