Ρωτάω vs Ζητάω in Greek: What’s the Difference?

The Greek verbs ρωτάω and ζητάω are both commonly translated as “to ask” in English. However, they are not used in the same situations.

In this mini Greek lesson, you will learn the difference between ρωτάω and ζητάω, how to use them correctly, and their forms in the present, aorist and simple future.

A simple way to remember the difference is:

ρωτάω = I ask a question
ζητάω = I ask for something

What does «ρωτάω» mean?

The verb ρωτάω, also written as ρωτώ, means “to ask a question” or “to ask someone for information.”

We use ρωτάω when we want to know something.

Present tense: ρωτάω

• Ρωτάω τον καθηγητή μου μια ερώτηση.
  I ask my teacher a question.
• Ρωτάω τη Μαρία πού μένει.
  I ask Maria where she lives.
• Ρωτάω τι ώρα είναι.
  I ask what time it is.
• Με ρωτάει αν μιλάω ελληνικά.
  He/She asks me if I speak Greek.

A common structure is:

ρωτάω + someone + something

For example:

• Ρωτάω τον Γιάννη τι κάνει.
  I ask Giannis how he is.

You can also use ρωτάω before an indirect question:

• Ρωτάω πού είναι η στάση.
  I ask where the bus stop is.
• Ρωτάω αν το κατάστημα είναι ανοιχτό.
  I ask if the shop is open.

Aorist: ρώτησα

The aorist form ρώτησα refers to a completed action in the past.

• Ρώτησα τον καθηγητή μου για την άσκηση.
  I asked my teacher about the exercise.
• Ρώτησα τη Μαρία πού ήταν.
  I asked Maria where she was.
• Τον ρώτησα αν ήθελε καφέ.
  I asked him if he wanted coffee.

Simple future: θα ρωτήσω

• Θα ρωτήσω τον γιατρό αύριο.
  I will ask the doctor tomorrow.
• Θα τη ρωτήσω τι συνέβη.
  I will ask her what happened.
• Θα ρωτήσω αν υπάρχει διαθέσιμο τραπέζι.
  I will ask if there is an available table.

What does «ζητάω» mean?

The verb ζητάω, also written as ζητώ, means “to ask for,” “to request,” “to seek” or “to look for.”

We use ζητάω when we want to receive, obtain or find something.

Present tense: ζητάω

• Ζητάω βοήθεια.
  I ask for help.
• Ζητάω έναν καφέ.
  I ask for a coffee.
• Ζητάω πληροφορίες.
  I ask for information.
• Ζητάω δουλειά.
  I am looking for work.
• Ζητάω συγγνώμη.
  I apologise / I ask for forgiveness.

A common structure is:

ζητάω + something + από + someone

For example:

• Ζητάω βοήθεια από τον φίλο μου.
  I ask my friend for help.
• Ζητάω μια χάρη από τη Μαρία.
  I ask Maria for a favour.

We can also use:

ζητάω να + verb

• Ζητάω να μιλήσω με τον υπεύθυνο.
  I ask to speak to the manager.
• Μου ζήτησε να περιμένω.
  He/She asked me to wait.

Aorist: ζήτησα

• Ζήτησα βοήθεια από τον καθηγητή μου.
  I asked my teacher for help.
• Ζήτησα έναν καφέ χωρίς ζάχαρη.
  I asked for a coffee without sugar.
• Του ζήτησα να μου τηλεφωνήσει.
  I asked him to call me.
• Ζήτησα συγγνώμη.
  I apologised.

Simple future: θα ζητήσω

• Θα ζητήσω βοήθεια.
  I will ask for help.
• Θα ζητήσω περισσότερες πληροφορίες.
  I will ask for more information.
• Θα του ζητήσω να έρθει νωρίτερα.
  I will ask him to come earlier.

Ρωτάω or ζητάω?

Compare the following sentences:

• Ρωτάω τον σερβιτόρο τι έχει το μενού.
  I ask the waiter what is on the menu.
• Ζητάω έναν καφέ από τον σερβιτόρο.
  I ask the waiter for a coffee.

In the first sentence, you want information, so you use ρωτάω.

In the second sentence, you want to receive something, so you use ζητάω.

Another example:

• Ρώτησα τον καθηγητή τι σημαίνει αυτή η λέξη.
  I asked the teacher what this word means.
• Ζήτησα από τον καθηγητή να το εξηγήσει ξανά.
  I asked the teacher to explain it again.

The difference between ρωτάω and ζητάω becomes easier when you focus on the speaker’s intention.

Use ρωτάω when you want information or an answer. Use ζητάω when you want someone to give you something, help you or do something.

Check more videos here: https://www.youtube.com/@timeforgreek6398

Want to practise more Greek vocabulary and grammar? Discover our online Greek lessons and learn Greek with experienced teachers at Time For Greek. Book a free trial lesson here: https://timeforgreek.com/book-a-free-trial-lesson-in-greek/