Ξεκινάω για το αεροδρόμιο σε δέκα λεπτά.

the minute

Breakdown of Ξεκινάω για το αεροδρόμιο σε δέκα λεπτά.

• για: for
• σε: in
• το αεροδρόμιο: the airport

Questions & Answers about Ξεκινάω για το αεροδρόμιο σε δέκα λεπτά.

Why is Ξεκινάω in the present tense if the sentence talks about the future?

In Greek, the present tense is very often used for a planned or near-future action, just like in English when you say I’m leaving in ten minutes.

So Ξεκινάω literally looks like I start / I leave, but in this context it means I’m leaving / I set off soon.

If you want to make the future more explicit, you could also say:

Θα ξεκινήσω για το αεροδρόμιο σε δέκα λεπτά.

That is also correct, but the original sentence sounds very natural for something already decided.

What exactly does Ξεκινάω mean here?

Here Ξεκινάω means I leave, I set off, or I start out.

The verb ξεκινάω / ξεκινώ can mean:

• to start
• to begin
• to set off / leave for somewhere

In this sentence, because it is followed by για το αεροδρόμιο, the meaning is clearly I’m setting off for the airport.

Why is για used here?