Όταν μιλάω ελληνικά με τη φίλη μου, είμαι πιο χαρούμενος.

to be

Breakdown of Όταν μιλάω ελληνικά με τη φίλη μου, είμαι πιο χαρούμενος.

• μιλάω: to speak
• ελληνικά: in Greek
• η φίλη: the female friend

Questions & Answers about Όταν μιλάω ελληνικά με τη φίλη μου, είμαι πιο χαρούμενος.

Why does the sentence start with Όταν?

Όταν means when.

In this sentence, it introduces a time clause:

Όταν μιλάω ελληνικά με τη φίλη μου = When I speak Greek with my friend

It can describe:

• something that happens regularly or habitually, as here
• something that happens at a particular time, depending on context

So here the idea is: Whenever/when I speak Greek with my friend, I am happier.

Why is it μιλάω and not μιλώ?

Both μιλάω and μιλώ mean I speak.

They are just two common forms of the same verb:

• μιλάω = very common in everyday speech
• μιλώ = also correct, sometimes a little more formal or concise

So these are both possible:

• Όταν μιλάω ελληνικά...
• Όταν μιλώ ελληνικά...

A learner should recognize both.

Why is there no word for I before μιλάω or είμαι?