οπότε
Lemma: οπότε
Translation: when; whenever; so; therefore; in which case (conjunction)
Etymology: Derived from Ancient Greek ὁπότε (hopote), which is a combination of the relative pronoun ὅς (hos, 'who, which') and the temporal conjunction πότε (pote, 'when'). The word has maintained its temporal and consequential meanings throughout Greek history.
Example Usage
Είμαι κουρασμένος, οπότε θα πάω για ύπνο.
I'm tired, so I'll go to sleep.
Δεν έχω λεφτά, οπότε δεν μπορώ να έρθω.
I don't have money, therefore I can't come.
Άργησα να ξυπνήσω, οπότε έχασα το λεωφορείο.
I woke up late, so I missed the bus.
Οπότε θέλεις, έλα να με δεις.
Whenever you want, come see me.
Οπότε έρχεσαι, φέρε και καφέ.
Whenever you come, bring coffee.
Οπότε βρέχει, μένω στο σπίτι.
When it rains, I stay at home.
Δεν έχω λεφτά, οπότε δεν μπορώ να βγω απόψε.
I don't have money, so I can't go out tonight.
Οπότε θέλεις, μπορείς να με πάρεις τηλέφωνο.
Whenever you want, you can call me.
Έχασα το λεωφορείο, οπότε θα αργήσω.
I missed the bus, therefore I'll be late.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'ο-πότε' as 'oh, when' to remember its temporal meaning.
- The 'ο' at the beginning can remind you of the circular nature of consequences - one thing leads to another.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Used frequently in both spoken and written Greek to indicate temporal relationships or logical consequences. It's one of the most common conjunctions in everyday speech.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While both 'οπότε' and 'όταν' can mean 'when', 'οπότε' often carries a sense of consequence or result, while 'όταν' is more strictly temporal. Additionally, 'οπότε' can be used to mean 'therefore' or 'so', which 'όταν' cannot.
Notes: 'Οπότε' is more versatile and can replace 'όταν' in many contexts, but not vice versa.
Mnemonic: 'Οπότε' often introduces a consequence (think 'o-potent result'), while 'όταν' just indicates time.
Explanation: 'Οπότε' is a conjunction meaning 'when/whenever' or 'therefore', while 'πότε' is an interrogative adverb meaning 'when?' in questions.
Confused word:
Πότε θα τελειώσεις;
When will you finish?
Notes: The 'ο' prefix in 'οπότε' transforms the interrogative 'πότε' into a relative conjunction.
Mnemonic: 'Πότε' asks 'when?' with a question mark, while 'οπότε' states 'when' with a period.