Σκέφτομαι αν θα μείνω στη χώρα μου ή αν θα ζήσω στο εξωτερικό μετά το πτυχίο.

I am thinking about whether I will stay in my country or live abroad after my degree.

Breakdown of Σκέφτομαι αν θα μείνω στη χώρα μου ή αν θα ζήσω στο εξωτερικό μετά το πτυχίο.

• ή: or
• μου: my
• μένω: to stay
• θα: will

Questions & Answers about Σκέφτομαι αν θα μείνω στη χώρα μου ή αν θα ζήσω στο εξωτερικό μετά το πτυχίο.

What is the difference between σκέφτομαι and a form like σκέφτω? Why is it σκέφτομαι here?

In modern Greek, the verb is normally used as σκέφτομαι, not σκέφτω, when it means “I think / I am thinking” in the sense of thinking about something, considering, wondering.

• σκέφτομαι is in the so‑called middle/passive form, but in meaning it is active:

  • Σκέφτομαι αν θα μείνω… = I’m thinking / I’m wondering whether I’ll stay…

• A form σκέφτω is practically never used in everyday modern Greek with this meaning. You might see it in some dictionaries as an old/active form, but in practice you should learn and use σκέφτομαι.

So, for talking about thoughts, decisions, plans, etc., the correct everyday verb is σκέφτομαι.

What does αν mean here? Is it “if” or “whether”? And how is it different from εάν or άμα?

In this sentence αν is best understood as “whether”:

• Σκέφτομαι αν θα μείνω… = I’m wondering whether I’ll stay…

In English you could also say “I’m thinking if I’ll stay…”, but in careful English “whether” is more natural after “I’m thinking / I’m wondering”.

About the similar words:

• αν – the most common everyday form for if / whether.
• εάν – a more formal or “full” form; in speech it usually becomes αν. Meaning is the same.
• άμα – very colloquial; roughly “if / when” in spoken language.

In this sentence, αν is perfectly natural and the most typical choice.