Νομίζω ότι τώρα καταλαβαίνω καλύτερα το μάθημα.

I think that now I understand the lesson better.

Breakdown of Νομίζω ότι τώρα καταλαβαίνω καλύτερα το μάθημα.

• τώρα: now
• ότι: that
• νομίζω: to think
• καλύτερα: better
• το μάθημα: the lesson
• καταλαβαίνω: to realize

Questions & Answers about Νομίζω ότι τώρα καταλαβαίνω καλύτερα το μάθημα.

Why do we need ότι after νομίζω? Can I just say Νομίζω τώρα καταλαβαίνω…?

In Greek, verbs like νομίζω (I think) normally introduce a full clause with ότι (or πως) meaning that:

• Νομίζω ότι τώρα καταλαβαίνω… = I think that now I understand…

You can sometimes drop ότι in very casual speech, but the standard, safest form for learners is to keep it:

• ✅ Νομίζω ότι τώρα καταλαβαίνω καλύτερα το μάθημα.
• 🟨 Νομίζω τώρα καταλαβαίνω… (sounds more informal / spoken, and slightly awkward without ότι)

So: use ότι after νομίζω when you’re forming “I think that …” sentences.

What’s the difference between ότι and πως here?

In this context, ότι and πως are almost interchangeable and both mean that (introducing a clause):

• Νομίζω ότι τώρα καταλαβαίνω καλύτερα το μάθημα.
• Νομίζω πως τώρα καταλαβαίνω καλύτερα το μάθημα.

Both mean: I think (that) now I understand the lesson better.

Small nuances:

• ότι is more neutral and very common in both speech and writing.
• πως can sound a bit more literary or stylistic in writing, but it’s also used in everyday speech.

Important: this πως is not the question word πώς (how), which has an accent. Here there is no accent.

What’s the difference between νομίζω and πιστεύω? Could I say Πιστεύω ότι τώρα καταλαβαίνω…?

Both verbs can translate as I think / I believe, but there are typical uses:

• νομίζω: I think, I suppose, I’m of the opinion that…
• πιστεύω: I believe, often stronger, more like a conviction (including religious belief).

In this sentence, Νομίζω ότι τώρα καταλαβαίνω καλύτερα το μάθημα sounds natural and mild: I think I understand it better now.

You can say:

• Πιστεύω ότι τώρα καταλαβαίνω καλύτερα το μάθημα.

That’s also correct, but can sound a bit stronger, like “I really believe that now I understand the lesson better”, rather than a tentative thought.

Why is τώρα (now) in the middle? Could I say Τώρα νομίζω ότι καταλαβαίνω…?

Greek word order is flexible. Here are three common options:

• Νομίζω ότι τώρα καταλαβαίνω καλύτερα το μάθημα.
  Focus on now I understand better (as opposed to before).

• Τώρα νομίζω ότι καταλαβαίνω καλύτερα το μάθημα.
  Slight shift of focus to now I think that I understand better (my current opinion is different from earlier).

• Νομίζω τώρα ότι καταλαβαίνω καλύτερα το μάθημα.
  Possible, but less smooth; learners should prefer the first two.

All are grammatically correct; the original is the most neutral and common for “I think I (now) understand the lesson better.”

Why is it καταλαβαίνω (present tense) and not something like έχω καταλάβει (have understood)?

Greek aspects don’t line up exactly with English tenses.

• καταλαβαίνω (present) = I understand / I am understanding (an ongoing state or process now).
• έχω καταλάβει (perfect) = I have (already) understood (completed result up to now).

In τώρα καταλαβαίνω καλύτερα, the speaker emphasizes their current, ongoing state of understanding: Now I (find that I) understand better.

If you say:

• Τώρα το έχω καταλάβει καλύτερα.

it sounds more like: Now I have understood it better (I’ve got it now) – focusing on the result being achieved and completed, not the process.

What’s the difference between καταλαβαίνω and κατανοώ?

Both can mean to understand, but they differ in tone and frequency:

• καταλαβαίνω: everyday, very common, used in almost all contexts.

  • Τώρα καταλαβαίνω καλύτερα το μάθημα.

• κατανοώ: more formal / literary, often used in official language, psychology, etc.

  • Τώρα κατανοώ καλύτερα το πρόβλημα.

In your sentence, καταλαβαίνω is absolutely the natural choice. Κατανοώ here would sound heavy or overly formal in normal conversation.

Why is it καλύτερα and not πιο καλά? Are both correct?

Yes, both are correct; they’re two ways to form the comparative:

• καλά → καλύτερα (irregular comparative adverb)
• καλά → πιο καλά (periphrastic comparative with πιο = more)

So:

• Τώρα καταλαβαίνω καλύτερα το μάθημα.
• Τώρα καταλαβαίνω πιο καλά το μάθημα.

Both mean: Now I understand the lesson better.

καλύτερα is a bit more compact and very common; as a learner, you can safely prefer καλύτερα here.

Why do we say το μάθημα with the article το? In English we might just say “I understand lesson better.”

In Greek, nouns almost always need an article unless they’re clearly generic or in certain set expressions. Here:

• το μάθημα = the lesson (a specific lesson, probably the one you just had / are studying).

Possible translations:

• I think I understand the lesson better now.
• Depending on context: I think I now understand the class / the material better.

Saying just μάθημα without το would sound incomplete or strange in this context. You nearly always say το μάθημα when referring to a particular lesson or school subject.

What exactly does μάθημα mean here? “Lesson”, “class”, or “course”?

μάθημα can cover several English words; context decides:

• a specific lesson (e.g. today’s math lesson)
• a school subject / class (e.g. math as a subject)
• course material

In this sentence, το μάθημα most naturally means:

• the lesson you’re studying or you just had in class.

So: I think I now understand the lesson better.

Can I add εγώ (I) at the beginning? Like Εγώ νομίζω ότι…?

Yes, you can, but it changes the emphasis.

• Νομίζω ότι τώρα καταλαβαίνω…
  Subject εγώ is implied and understood; neutral, normal Greek.

• Εγώ νομίζω ότι τώρα καταλαβαίνω…
  Stresses I as opposed to someone else: I, on my part, think that now I understand…

Greek usually drops subject pronouns (εγώ, εσύ, αυτός, etc.) unless:

• you want to contrast / emphasize (I vs. others), or
• you need to avoid ambiguity.

For a neutral statement, the version without εγώ is best.

How do I pronounce each word in this sentence?

Approximate pronunciation with English-friendly hints (stressed syllable in capitals):

• Νομίζω → no-MI-zo (noh-MEE-zo)
• ότι → O-ti (OH-tee)
• τώρα → TO-ra (TOH-ra)
• καταλαβαίνω → ka-ta-la-VE-no (kah-tah-lah-VEH-no)
• καλύτερα → ka-LI-te-ra (kah-LEE-teh-rah)
• το → to (toh)
• μάθημα → MA-thi-ma (MAH-thee-ma; θ = th in think)

Put together with natural rhythm:

• ΝοΜΙζω ότι ΤΩρα καταλαΒΑΙνω καΛΥτερα το ΜΑθημα.