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Course: French English Spanish Greek
Explanations in: English French Spanish Greek
C1

Aspect in depth

Continuous vs perfective in commands, questions and negation; aorist vs perfect.

  • Commands: the continuous imperative can sound more polite or encouraging: Έλα, κάθεσαι; / Τρώγε, να δυναμώσεις!. The perfective is neutral: Κάτσε.
  • Negative commands: Μη φύγεις (don't leave — now) / Μη φεύγεις (don't be leaving / stop leaving).
  • Questions: Θα πίνεις κάτι; (softer, «will you be having…?») vs Θα πιεις κάτι; (neutral).
  • Aorist vs perfect: Διάβασες το βιβλίο; (did you read it — neutral) / Έχεις διαβάσει το βιβλίο; (have you read it — experience, result).

Some verbs change meaning with aspect: ήξερα (I knew) / έμαθα (I found out); είχα (I had) / απέκτησα (I acquired); μπορούσα (I was able) / μπόρεσα (I managed).

  • Μη στενοχωριέσαι, θα βρεις δουλειά.
    Don't be sad, you'll find a job.
  • Κατάφερα να τον πείσω, αλλά με δυσκολία.
    I managed to persuade him, but with difficulty.

Test yourself

  1. Choose: Θέλω να σε (βλέπω / δω) πιο συχνά.
    Show answer
    βλέπω
  2. Difference: «Μη φύγεις» / «Μη φεύγεις»?
    Show answer
    don't leave (now, once) / don't be leaving (in general, or stop leaving)
  3. What does «μπόρεσα» imply?
    Show answer
    I managed to (succeeded)
  4. Choose: (Είδες / Έχεις δει) ποτέ το Άγιον Όρος;
    Show answer
    Έχεις δει