Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| όταν | ótan | /ˈotan/ |
| αφού | afoú |
όταν is used as a conjunction to mean "as soon as" or "at the time that" in a temporal sense.
Which one should you use?
While όταν is the standard way to express temporal "when", the word αφού is often used in spoken Greek to mean "after", "since" or "because". Additionally, do not confuse όταν with πότε. Use όταν for relative time (describing when something happens) and πότε for interrogative time (asking at what time something happens).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When όταν introduces a subordinate clause that refers to a future event, the verb in that clause is typically in the subjunctive mood. Related to this, the word πότε can also be used as a pronoun meaning "what time" or "which time" or as a noun meaning "the time".
How do you pronounce it?
όταν is pronounced /ˈotan (ótan).
Did you know?
- In spoken Greek, αφού is frequently used to express a sense of resignation or an obvious point, similar to how an English speaker might start a sentence with 'Well, since…'.
- The word αφού is actually a contraction of two older words, 'from' and 'where', which combined to create the concept of 'from where' or 'after which'.
- In Ancient Greek, the ancestor of όταν was used not just for time but as a tool for creating conditional 'if' scenarios in certain poetic contexts.
Examples in context
- Θα χαρώ όταν τελειώσω.I'll be glad when I'm done.This sentence shows how to use όταν to express a future state.Tatoeba #7782683 by eypros, translation #7782648 by CK
- Δεν διαβάζουν όταν τρώνε.They don't read when they eat.This sentence uses όταν to describe two simultaneous actions.Tatoeba #2386300 by mululatv, translation #9502937 by Nylez
- Κοίταξέ με όταν σου μιλάω!Look at me when I talk to you!This sentence demonstrates the use of όταν when describing an ongoing action.Tatoeba #3002899 by glavkos, translation #1698 by CE
- 'Ελα όποτε θέλεις.Come whenever you want.
- Πότε θα βγούμε για καφέ;When will we go out for coffee?
- 179 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Kostas are planning a meeting.
- Μαρία MariaΠες μου όταν φτάσεις στο σπίτι.Pes mou otan ftaseis sto spiti.Tell me when you arrive home.
- Κώστας KostasΘα σε ενημερώσω αμέσως.Tha se imeroso amesos.I will let you know immediately.
- Μαρία MariaΘα σε περιμένω όταν έρθεις.Tha se perimeno otan ertheis.I will be waiting for you when you come.
- Κώστας KostasΕντάξει, Μαρία, τα λέμε τότε.Entaxei, Maria, ta leme tote.Okay, Maria, see you then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “when” translations and entries όταν, αφού, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries αφού, όταν, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
