Questions and negation: δεν, μην, τι, πού…
Question words, the Greek question mark ; and the two negatives δεν and μη(ν).
| Greek | English |
|---|---|
| τι; | what? |
| ποιος / ποια / ποιο; | who? which? |
| πού; | where? |
| πότε; | when? |
| πώς; | how? |
| πόσο / πόσοι; | how much? / how many? |
| γιατί; | why? (answer: γιατί / επειδή = because) |
Yes/no questions differ from statements only in intonation (and the question mark ;): Είσαι καλά;
Negation
- δεν before verbs in normal statements: Δεν ξέρω = I don't know.
- μην with να, in negative commands and wishes: Μην ανησυχείς! = Don't worry!
- όχι = no (answer), and to negate a word: όχι σήμερα = not today.
- Πού μένεις; – Στη Θεσσαλονίκη.Where do you live? – In Thessaloniki.
- Γιατί δεν τρως; – Γιατί δεν πεινάω.Why aren't you eating? – Because I'm not hungry.
Test yourself
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Translate: «When are you leaving?» (φεύγω)
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Πότε φεύγεις; -
Translate: «I don't know anything.»
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Δεν ξέρω τίποτα. -
Which negative goes with commands?
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μη(ν) -
What does «γιατί» mean?
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why / because