Γράφω με μολύβι και όχι με στυλό.

I write with a pencil and not with a pen.

Breakdown of Γράφω με μολύβι και όχι με στυλό.

• και: and
• με: with
• όχι: not
• γράφω: to write
• το στυλό: the pen
• το μολύβι: the pencil

Questions & Answers about Γράφω με μολύβι και όχι με στυλό.

Why is εγώ (I) not written in the sentence? How do we know it means I write?

In Greek, the subject pronoun (like εγώ = I) is usually dropped because the verb ending already shows who the subject is.

• γράφω is the 1st person singular form of the verb γράφω (to write).
• Its ending -ω here tells you the subject is I.

So:

• Γράφω με μολύβι. = Εγώ γράφω με μολύβι. = I write with a pencil.

You normally add εγώ only for emphasis or contrast:

• Εγώ γράφω με μολύβι, εσύ γράφεις με στυλό.
  (I write with a pencil, you write with a pen.)

Why does γράφω translate both as I write and I am writing?

Modern Greek does not have a separate continuous form like English I am writing.

The simple present γράφω covers:

• Habitual / general actions:
  Γράφω με μολύβι. = I (normally) write with a pencil.
• Actions happening right now (in the right context):
  Τι κάνεις; – Γράφω. = What are you doing? – I’m writing.

Context tells you whether it is “I write” (in general) or “I am writing” (right now). The Greek form is the same.

What exactly does με mean here? Does it always translate as with?

In this sentence με introduces the instrument, so it means with (in the sense of “using”):

• Γράφω με μολύβι. = I write with a pencil.
• Τρώω με πιρούνι. = I eat with a fork.

Common uses of με:

1. Company – with people

   • Πηγαίνω με τον φίλο μου. = I go with my friend.

2. Instrument / means – with, using

   • Κόβω με ψαλίδι. = I cut with scissors.

3. Means of transport – by

   • Πηγαίνω με το λεωφορείο. = I go by bus.

So yes, it is usually with, sometimes naturally translated as by in English (for transport or means).

Why is there no article before μολύβι and στυλό? Why not με ένα μολύβι or με το μολύβι?

Here μολύβι and στυλό are used in a general/instrumental sense: “with a pencil / with a pen” in general, not a specific one.

In that use, Greek often drops the article:

• Γράφω με μολύβι. = I write with (a) pencil.
• Πίνω καφέ. = I drink (coffee).

You can use an article, but it changes the nuance:

• με ένα μολύβι – with a (one, some) pencil (indefinite, but still a specific instance)
• με το μολύβι – with the pencil (a particular one you both know about)

In your sentence, we’re talking about the usual means of writing, so no article is most natural: με μολύβι, με στυλό.

What is the difference between μολύβι and μολύβιο? Which should I use for “pencil”?

For “pencil” in modern everyday Greek, use μολύβι.

• μολύβι – the normal, standard, very common form.
• μολύβιο – also correct but less common / a bit more old‑fashioned or formal in everyday speech.

Most natives say:

• Έχεις μολύβι; = Do you have a pencil?
• Γράφω με μολύβι. = I write with a pencil.

So as a learner, prefer μολύβι.

What gender and case are μολύβι and στυλό in this sentence?

In Γράφω με μολύβι και όχι με στυλό:

• με requires the accusative case.
• μολύβι is a regular neuter noun.
• στυλό is an indeclinable neuter noun (from French stylo): its form doesn’t change.

So:

• μολύβι – neuter singular accusative
• στυλό – neuter singular accusative (same form as nominative)

Is στυλό always “pen”? Does it mean a particular kind of pen?

In everyday Greek, στυλό normally means a ballpoint pen, but it is often used more generally as just “pen” when context is clear.

Examples:

• Δώσε μου ένα στυλό. = Give me a pen. (usually a ballpoint)
• Στυλό διαρκείας = ballpoint pen (literally “pen of duration”)

For more specific types, Greek may use other words:

• πένα – a fountain pen or nib pen
• μαρκαδόρος – marker
• φούξια μαρκαδόρος – fuchsia marker

In your sentence, στυλό = a regular writing pen (normally ballpoint).

What does the phrase και όχι mean here? Is it literally “and not” or more like “but not”?

και όχι is literally and not, but it often functions like but not / rather than in English, marking a contrast.

In Γράφω με μολύβι και όχι με στυλό:

• You affirm the first option (with pencil)
• You explicitly exclude the second (with pen)

You can think of it as:

• I write with a pencil, not with a pen.
• I write with a pencil rather than with a pen.

Other examples:

• Θέλω καφέ και όχι τσάι. = I want coffee, not tea.
• Πάμε αύριο και όχι σήμερα. = Let’s go tomorrow, not today.

Could I say Δεν γράφω με στυλό, γράφω με μολύβι instead? What is the difference in meaning?

Yes, that is perfectly correct, but the structure is a bit different.

Your original sentence:

• Γράφω με μολύβι και όχι με στυλό.
  Focus: positive choice + explicit contrast
  “I write with a pencil, not with a pen.”

Alternative:

• Δεν γράφω με στυλό, γράφω με μολύβι.
  Literally: I don’t write with a pen; I write with a pencil.

Both communicate almost the same idea. Subtle nuance:

• και όχι keeps the focus on the first (preferred) option.
• Δεν γράφω με στυλό, γράφω με μολύβι starts with the negative and then corrects / specifies.

Both are natural.

Can I drop the second με and say Γράφω με μολύβι και όχι στυλό?

You may occasionally hear or see και όχι στυλό, and Greeks will understand it, but the most natural and clear form is to repeat the preposition:

• Preferred: Γράφω με μολύβι και όχι με στυλό.

Repeating με keeps the structure parallel and avoids any ambiguity, especially in longer sentences. As a learner, it’s better to keep με before both nouns.

Where does όχι normally go in a sentence like this? Can I move it?

όχι usually comes right before the element being negated.

Here it negates με στυλό (with a pen), so it stands just before that phrase:

• … και όχι με στυλό.

You could change the whole structure, but then you need δεν for verb negation:

• Δεν γράφω με στυλό, αλλά με μολύβι.
  I don’t write with a pen, but with a pencil.

In that version:

• δεν negates the verb (γράφω),
• αλλά introduces the contrast.

So:

• To negate a phrase (like “with a pen”), put όχι just before it.
• To negate the verb, use δεν before the verb (Δεν γράφω…).

How do you pronounce Γράφω με μολύβι και όχι με στυλό?

Approximate pronunciation:

• Γράφω – GRA-fo (G like a soft French/Spanish g before a; almost like a voiced “ch” in “Bach”)
• με – meh
• μολύβι – mo-LI-vi
• και – keh (in modern Greek usually like “keh”, not “kai”)
• όχι – O-chi, where χ is a voiceless “ch” as in German Bach, Scottish loch
• με – meh
• στυλό – sti-LO

In IPA:

• [ˈɣrafo me moˈlivi ce ˈoxi me stiˈlo]

Primary stress is on:

• ΓΡΆ-φω, μο-ΛΎ-βι, Ό-χι, στu-ΛΌ.