Όταν ακούω την κόρνα, κοιτάω από το παράθυρο.

When I hear the horn, I look out the window.

Breakdown of Όταν ακούω την κόρνα, κοιτάω από το παράθυρο.

• όταν: when
• το παράθυρο: the window
• ακούω: to hear
• κοιτάω: to look

Questions & Answers about Όταν ακούω την κόρνα, κοιτάω από το παράθυρο.

What does Όταν mean here?

Όταν means when. In this sentence, it has the sense of whenever or every time that because both actions are in the present and describe something habitual:

• Όταν ακούω την κόρνα, κοιτάω από το παράθυρο.
• Whenever I hear the horn, I look out the window.

So it is not just one single event; it sounds like a repeated pattern.

Why is there no Greek word for I in the sentence?

Greek often leaves out subject pronouns because the verb ending already shows who the subject is.

Here:

• ακούω = I hear
• κοιτάω = I look

So Greek does not need εγώ unless you want emphasis or contrast.

For example:

• Εγώ ακούω την κόρνα, όχι αυτός. = I hear the horn, not him.

In your sentence, leaving out εγώ is completely normal.

Why are ακούω and κοιτάω both in the present tense?

They are in the present tense because the sentence describes a regular or repeated action:

• When/Whenever I hear the horn, I look out the window.

This is very similar to English, which also often uses the present in sentences about habits.

So:

• ακούω = I hear / I am hearing
• κοιτάω = I look / I am looking

But here the overall meaning is habitual, not necessarily happening right this second.