Learn Hardcore Greek: 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.

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:

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):

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 ?