Σε παίρνω τηλέφωνο τώρα, γιατί δεν σε βλέπω.

now

Breakdown of Σε παίρνω τηλέφωνο τώρα, γιατί δεν σε βλέπω.

• δεν: not
• γιατί: because
• σε: you

Questions & Answers about Σε παίρνω τηλέφωνο τώρα, γιατί δεν σε βλέπω.

Why does the sentence start with Σε? What does that σε mean here?

Here Σε is the unstressed object pronoun σε (= you in the singular, informal). It’s placed before the verb (or, as here, it can also be fronted for emphasis/topic), and it refers to the person being called.
So Σε παίρνω τηλέφωνο = I’m calling you.

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Why is there another σε later: δεν σε βλέπω? Is that the same word?

Yes—same pronoun σε again, still meaning you. It’s repeated because Greek typically uses an object pronoun with each verb that takes it.
So you get:

• Σε παίρνω τηλέφωνο = I’m calling you
• (γιατί) δεν σε βλέπω = because I don’t see you

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What tense is παίρνω and βλέπω? Is Greek using the present even though it’s happening “right now”?

Both παίρνω (I take / I call) and βλέπω (I see) are in the present tense. Greek often uses the present for actions happening now or for “I’m doing it (right now)” situations—especially with τώρα to make the immediacy explicit.

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Why does Greek say παίρνω τηλέφωνο literally “I take phone”? Is that just an idiom?