Language/Modern-greek-1453/Grammar/Imperative-Mood-in-Greek
Understanding how to form and use the imperative mood is essential for effective communication in Modern Greek. In this article, we will explore the intricacies of the imperative mood, including its formation, usage, and examples of its application in everyday situations.
- Other lessons: Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: Verb To Be, The predicate, Greek phonology of the consonants : Φφ Θθ & Reflective pronouns Αυτοπαθείς αντωνυμίες.
What is the Imperative Mood in Modern Greek?[edit | edit source]
The imperative mood in Modern Greek is a grammatical form used to give orders or instructions, making requests, or expressing requirements for others to perform certain actions. It is a direct way of commanding or instructing someone to do something. However, when it comes to negative expressions, the imperative cannot be directly negated. Instead, the subjunctive mood is utilized.
Use of the Imperative Mood in Modern Greek[edit | edit source]
The imperative mood is generally limited to non-past forms, except for the aorist aspect, and is specifically used in the second person singular and plural. This means that it is commonly employed when addressing someone directly or giving instructions to a group of people. Additionally, it is important to note that the imperative of the passive voice is only used in the perfective aspect, specifically via the aorist aspect.
On the other hand, the subjunctive mood is employed in negative expressions to convey commands or instructions. It requires the use of the negation particle "μην" (do not), which consistently occupies the leftmost position within the verb set. The "μην" particle is placed after "να" (to) or "ας" (let), as long as they are present in the sentence structure.
For instance, consider the following examples in which the subjunctive mood with negation is used:
- μην της το πεις (don't tell her)
- μην το κάνεις (don't do it)
- μη μιλήσεις (don't talk)
- μη με δεις (don't see me)
- μην της το δώσεις (don't give it to her)
Examples[edit | edit source]
These examples highlight the application of the subjunctive mood in negative commands, emphasizing the "μην" particle at the beginning of the phrase to convey the negation. This construction allows for clear and direct instructions without employing the imperative form.
To provide further insight into using the imperative in Modern Greek, here are additional examples:
- Κάνε την εργασία! (Do the homework!)
- Μην φύγετε από εδώ! (Don't leave from here!)
- Τράβα πιο γρήγορα! (Go faster!)
These examples demonstrate the imperative mood in action, employing direct commands and instructions in everyday scenarios.
Ελληνικά | English |
---|---|
Βγες έξω! | Go away! |
Ανοίξτε τα βιβλία σας! | Open your books! |
Μάζεψε τα παιχνίδια σου! | Pick up your toys! |
Χάρισέ του το! ή Χάρισέ το του! | Give it to him! (both allowed) |
Φώναξέ τες! | Call them (feminine)! |
Στείλε της ένα γράμμα! | Send her a letter! |
Κλείσ’το! | Close it! |
Διαβάστε το! | Read it! (you/polite) |
(Να) μη φορέσεις αυτό το παντελόνι! | Don't wear that trousers! |
(Να) μην του το δώσεις! | Don't give it to him! |
Greek Verbs and Conjugations: English Translations and Conjugation Classes[edit | edit source]
The verbs are categorized into two main conjugation classes:
- 1st Conjugation: These are verbs that follow the regular conjugation patterns of the 1st conjugation in Greek. They belong to the 1st conjugation class.
- 2nd Conjugation: These are verbs that follow the regular conjugation patterns of the 2nd conjugation in Greek. Some verbs in this conjugation class have additional information about their subgroup or grade, indicated by "1st gr." or "2nd gr."
The table below provides examples of Greek verbs along with their English translations and their respective conjugation classes:
Greek | English | Conjugation |
---|---|---|
βλέπω | see | 1st conj. |
έχω | have | 1st conj. |
θέλω | want to | 1st conj. |
δουλεύω | work | 1st conj. |
φεύγω | go | 1st conj. |
δίνω | give | 1st conj. |
αγοράζω | buy | 1st conj. |
κοιτάζω | look at | 1st conj. |
ψάχνω | look for | 1st conj. |
γράφω | write | 1st conj. |
αφήνω | leave | 1st conj. |
χαζεύω | stroll, daydream | 1st conj. |
περιμένω | wait for | 1st conj. |
στέλνω | send | 1st conj. |
πεινώ | be hungry | 2nd conj. 1st gr. |
ζω | live | 2nd conj. 2nd gr. |
διψώ | be thirsty | 2nd conj. 1st gr. |
ρωτώ | ask | 2nd conj. 1st gr. |
απαντώ | respond | 2nd conj. 1st gr. |
περνώ | pass | 2nd conj. 1st gr. |
αργώ | delay | 2nd conj. 2nd gr. |
τηλεφωνώ | call | 2nd conj. 2nd gr. |
μπορώ | be able to | 2nd conj. 2nd gr. |
φέρνω | I bring | 1st conj. |
ξέρω | to know | 1st conj. |
μιλώ | speak | 2nd conj. 1st gr. |
ζητώ | request | 2nd conj. 2nd gr. |
διαβάζω | read | 1st conj. |
καλώ | invite | 2nd conj. 2nd gr. |
χρωστώ | owe | 2nd conj. 1st gr. |
προσφέρω | to offer | 2nd conj. 2nd gr. |
εξηγώ | explain | specify |
αρέσω | be liked | 1st conj. |
πουλώ | sell | 2nd conj. 1st gr. |
δείχνω | show | 1st conj. |
λείπω | be absent | 1st conj. |
γνωρίζω | know | 1st conj. |
ζηλεύω | be jealous of | 1st conj. |
πιστεύω | believe | 1st conj. |
βοηθώ | help | 2nd conj. 1st gr. |
φωνάζω | call | 1st conj. |
συνoδεύω | accompany | 1st conj. |
Author[edit source]
- Ευγενική χορηγία που στοχεύει να βοηθήσει μαθητές ή μη, απανταχού της Γης, που επιδίδονται στην εκμάθηση της ελληνικής γλώσσας!
- Contribution bénévole visant à aider les personnes, partout dans le monde, qui sont engagées dans l'apprentissage de la langue grecque !
- Voluntary contribution aimed at helping people, all over the world, who are committed to learning the Greek language!
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Definite and Indefinite Article
- The spelling of the verbs (–λλ or –λ)
- Imperative (Present)
- Verbes auxiliaires
- The combinations «αυ» and «ευ»
- The final v
- Accentuation
- The comma
- Contract Verbs
- Moods
- Methods of Argument
- Pronoms interrogatifs
- Pronunciation rules
- Adjectives
- Voice tense