Learn Hardcore Greek: Δεν ξέρω τι συμβαίνει τώρα, αλλά θα ρωτήσω. - I don’t know what is happening now, but I will ask.

Δεν ξέρω = I don’t know
You typically use μη(ν) instead with imperatives and many subjunctive constructions (e.g., Μην μιλάς! = Don’t talk!).

What form is ξέρω? Why not ξέρω with a pronoun like εγώ?

ξέρω is the 1st person singular present of ξέρω = to know. Greek often drops subject pronouns because the verb ending already shows the person:

(Εγώ) ξέρω = I know
Adding εγώ is possible, but usually for emphasis or contrast.

Why is it Δεν ξέρω τι συμβαίνει and not Δεν ξέρω ότι συμβαίνει?

Because τι and ότι do different jobs:

τι = what (introduces a question embedded inside the sentence) → I don’t know what is happening
ότι = that (introduces a statement clause) → I don’t know that it’s happening (different meaning)

So τι is correct here because it’s about unknown information (what exactly is happening).

What does τι mean here exactly, and why does it have no accent?

Here τι means what. In Greek:

τι (no accent) is usually the interrogative what (especially in embedded questions like this).
τί (with accent) can appear when it’s emphasized or to avoid confusion in some contexts.

In everyday writing you’ll often see τι in sentences like this.

What tense is συμβαίνει and what is its dictionary form?

συμβαίνει is 3rd person singular present of συμβαίνω = to happen / to occur.
So τι συμβαίνει literally means what happens / what is happening. Greek present often covers both simple present and present continuous depending on context.

Why is τώρα placed after the verb clause? Could it go somewhere else?

Yes, placement is flexible. τώρα = now, and you can place it in several natural positions:

Δεν ξέρω τι συμβαίνει τώρα (neutral)
Δεν ξέρω τώρα τι συμβαίνει (more like: right now, I don’t know…)
Τώρα δεν ξέρω τι συμβαίνει (emphasis on now)

Greek word order changes emphasis more than basic meaning.

What is αλλά and how is it used?

αλλά means but. It links two clauses and signals contrast:

Δεν ξέρω… αλλά θα ρωτήσω. = I don’t know… but I’ll ask.

It’s very common and doesn’t require any special word order.

Why is there a comma before αλλά? Is that required in Greek?

Often yes. In Greek punctuation, a comma is commonly used before conjunctions like αλλά when they connect two independent clauses:

Δεν ξέρω… , αλλά…
You may sometimes see it omitted in informal writing, but it’s standard and clear with the comma.

What does θα do? Is it the future tense?

θα is a particle used to form the future (and some other meanings). It’s not a verb itself.

θα ρωτήσω = I will ask
So yes, it’s the regular way to make the future in Modern Greek.

Why is it θα ρωτήσω and not θα ρωτάω?

Because Greek often distinguishes between:

θα ρωτήσω (perfective/aorist-based) = I’ll ask (once / at some point / as a completed action)
θα ρωτάω / θα ρωτώ (imperfective) = I’ll be asking / I’ll ask repeatedly / I’ll keep asking

In this sentence, the natural meaning is a single act: I’ll ask (someone) → θα ρωτήσω.

So what form exactly is ρωτήσω? Is it a “subjunctive”?

ρωτήσω is the aorist subjunctive form (perfective) of ρωτάω/ρωτώ = to ask.
After θα, Greek uses a form that looks like the subjunctive (the same form used after να), even though the overall meaning is future:

θα ρωτήσω (future)
να ρωτήσω (subjunctive: to/should I ask, let me ask, etc.)

So: same verb form, different particle → different meaning.

How do you pronounce tricky parts like Δεν ξέρω, συμβαίνει, and θα ρωτήσω?

A rough pronunciation guide (not perfect IPA, but helpful):

Δεν ≈ then (with th as in this)
ξ is ks, so ξέρω ≈ KSE-ro
συμβαίνει ≈ sim-VE-ni (stress on -ve-)
θα uses th as in thin for many speakers: tha
ρωτήσω ≈ ro-TEE-so (stress on -tee-)

The accent mark shows the stressed syllable: ξέ-ρω, συμ-βαί-νει, ρω-τή-σω.