Σήμερα δεν καταλαβαίνω καθόλου αυτή τη λέξη.

Today I don’t understand this word at all.

Breakdown of Σήμερα δεν καταλαβαίνω καθόλου αυτή τη λέξη.

• αυτός: this
• δεν: not
• σήμερα: today
• καταλαβαίνω: to understand
• η λέξη: the word
• καθόλου: any / at all

Questions & Answers about Σήμερα δεν καταλαβαίνω καθόλου αυτή τη λέξη.

Why is there no word for I in the sentence?

Greek often drops subject pronouns because the verb ending already shows the person/number.
καταλαβαίνω = I understand (1st person singular), so εγώ (I) is optional. You might add εγώ only for emphasis or contrast.

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What does δεν do, and where does it go?

δεν is the basic negation word for many verb tenses (including the present). It normally comes directly before the verb phrase:
δεν καταλαβαίνω = I don’t understand.
(You’ll also see μη(ν) in other contexts, like commands/subjunctive.)

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Why are there two negatives: δεν and καθόλου? Is that “double negative”?

In Greek, this combination is standard and not considered “illogical.”
δεν negates the verb, and καθόλου strengthens it: not … at all / not in the slightest.
So δεν καταλαβαίνω καθόλου is a very natural way to say I don’t understand at all.

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What exactly does καθόλου mean, and can it move around?

καθόλου means at all / in the least. Position is flexible, but it typically appears after the verb or after the object:

• Δεν καταλαβαίνω καθόλου αυτή τη λέξη.
• Δεν καταλαβαίνω αυτή τη λέξη καθόλου.
  Both are fine; the first is very common.

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How do I know καταλαβαίνω is present tense, and what is its base form?

The base (dictionary) form is καταλαβαίνω. In the present tense it conjugates like:

• (εγώ) καταλαβαίνω = I understand
• (εσύ) καταλαβαίνεις = you understand
  So here it’s present: Today I don’t understand…

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Why is it αυτή τη λέξη? What case is that?

λέξη (word) is the direct object of καταλαβαίνω (what you don’t understand), so it takes the accusative case.

• Nominative (subject): η λέξη
• Accusative (object): τη(ν) λέξη
  The demonstrative agrees with it, so αυτή is also accusative feminine singular here (in this common form before a noun).

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Why is it τη and not την?

Both exist: τη is simply a shortened form of την. In everyday Greek, ν at the end is often dropped before many consonants.
Since λέξη starts with λ, it’s very common to write/say τη λέξη.
You may still see την λέξη (especially in more careful writing), and it’s not “wrong.”

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Why is it αυτή and not αυτό or αυτήν?

Because λέξη is feminine: η λέξη. The demonstrative must match gender and number, so it’s αυτή (feminine singular).
You may also encounter αυτήν τη λέξη; αυτήν is a more explicitly accusative form, but αυτή τη λέξη is extremely common in modern Greek.

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Could I change the word order, like putting Σήμερα somewhere else?

Yes. Greek word order is flexible. Σήμερα can appear at the start (common for setting the time), or later for different emphasis:

• Σήμερα δεν καταλαβαίνω καθόλου αυτή τη λέξη. (neutral/common)
• Δεν καταλαβαίνω καθόλου αυτή τη λέξη σήμερα. (emphasis a bit more on “today” as an afterthought/contrast)

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Is αυτή τη λέξη the only way to say “this word”? Could I say it differently?

You can also say:

• τη λέξη αυτή (more “that particular word / this word right here,” sometimes slightly more formal or emphatic)
• αυτήν τη λέξη (more explicit accusative on the demonstrative)
  But αυτή τη λέξη is the most straightforward, everyday option.