Στη συζήτηση ακούω πρώτα τον άλλον και μετά μιλάω.

στη is the contracted form of σε τη(ν).

• σε = in / at / to
• τη(ν) = the feminine singular definite article in the accusative

So:

• σε τη συζήτηση → στη συζήτηση

This is very common in modern Greek. With feminine nouns, σε + τη(ν) often becomes στη.

Because the preposition σε normally takes the accusative in modern Greek.

So the noun συζήτηση appears here with the accusative article:

• nominative: η συζήτηση
• accusative: τη συζήτηση
• after σε: στη συζήτηση

Even though in English we say in the conversation/discussion, Greek uses σε + accusative.

συζήτηση means discussion or conversation.

In this sentence, στη συζήτηση means something like:

• in conversation
• in a discussion
• during a discussion

So it gives the context in which the speaker behaves this way.

It can mean both, depending on context.

Here, ακούω τον άλλον clearly means I listen to the other person, not just I hear them by accident.

That is very normal in Greek: ακούω + direct object can express the idea of listening to someone/something.

τον άλλον is the masculine accusative singular form, because it is the direct object of ακούω.

Breakdown:

• ο άλλος = the other one / the other person
• τον άλλον = the other one / the other person (accusative)

Since ακούω takes a direct object, Greek uses the accusative:

• ακούω τον άλλον = I listen to the other person

In natural English, we often translate it as the other person rather than just the other.

Because this is the accusative singular form of άλλος.

Main forms:

• άλλος = nominative masculine singular
• άλλον = accusative masculine singular

So:

• ο άλλος μιλάει = the other person speaks
• ακούω τον άλλον = I listen to the other person

You may also hear τον άλλο in everyday speech. That is very common in spoken modern Greek. But τον άλλον is the fuller standard form.

Because Greek can use ο άλλος / τον άλλον by itself to mean the other person when the meaning is clear from context.

So:

• τον άλλον literally = the other one
• but naturally it means = the other person

This is very common and natural.

Because Greek usually leaves subject pronouns out when they are not needed.

The verb endings already show the subject:

• ακούω = I listen
• μιλάω = I speak

So εγώ is unnecessary unless you want emphasis or contrast.

For example:

• Εγώ ακούω πρώτα τον άλλον = I am the one who listens first
• without εγώ, it is just a neutral statement

They show the sequence of actions.

• πρώτα = first
• μετά = then / afterwards

So:

• ακούω πρώτα τον άλλον = I first listen to the other person
• και μετά μιλάω = and then I speak

This pairing is very common in Greek:

• πρώτα ... και μετά ... = first ... and then ...

Greek word order is more flexible than English word order.

This sentence uses a very natural order:

• ακούω πρώτα τον άλλον
• literally: I listen first to the other person

You could also hear other orders depending on emphasis, for example:

• πρώτα ακούω τον άλλον
• τον άλλον ακούω πρώτα

But the version in your sentence is straightforward and natural. The position of πρώτα highlights the sequence nicely.

Both are correct.

• μιλάω = very common modern form
• μιλώ = also correct, often a bit more concise or formal-sounding

So:

• μετά μιλάω
• μετά μιλώ

Both mean then I speak.

The same thing happens with several Greek verbs, where two present-tense forms are used in modern Greek.

Because μιλάω can be used on its own to mean I speak.

The sentence is focusing on the order of actions:

1. I listen first.
2. Then I speak.

So there is no need to add I speak to someone or I say something. Greek, like English, can leave that unstated when it is obvious from context.

It is most naturally understood as a general habit or usual behavior.

Greek present tense can describe:

• something happening now
• something habitual or generally true

Here the sentence sounds like a personal principle or habit:

• In a discussion, I listen to the other person first and then I speak.

So it is not necessarily about one specific conversation happening at this moment.

και means and.

Here it links the two actions:

• ακούω πρώτα τον άλλον
• και μετά μιλάω

So the structure is:

• first I listen ... and then I speak

Greek often uses και μετά exactly like English and then.

In this exact form, τον άλλον is grammatically masculine, so it most directly refers to a male person or to a generic other person in a masculine form.

If the other person were clearly female, you would say:

• την άλλη

So:

• ακούω πρώτα τον άλλον = I listen first to the other man/person
• ακούω πρώτα την άλλη = I listen first to the other woman

In many learning examples, the masculine form is used as the default example.

You could say:

• Στη συζήτηση, εγώ ακούω πρώτα τον άλλον και μετά μιλάω.

This is grammatically fine, but εγώ adds emphasis, something like:

• As for me, I listen first...
• I listen first...

Without εγώ, the sentence is more neutral and natural in most contexts.

It can be either, depending on context.

• discussion fits if the tone is a bit more serious or organized
• conversation fits if it is more everyday and informal

So Στη συζήτηση can be understood broadly as when talking with someone / in a discussion. The exact English choice depends on the context, but the Greek itself is very natural for both kinds of interaction.