Language/Modern-greek-1453/Grammar/Negations

The Negation in Modern Greek

Rules

In the Greek language, negation is used to indicate the absence or opposite of an action, state, or quality. There are several ways to express negation in Greek, and it's important to understand the different forms and when to use them.

1. Οχι - Ochi (No): This is the most basic form of negation in Greek. It's used to give a negative response to a question, or to negate a statement. For example, "Δεν πηγαίνω στο σχολείο" (I am not going to school) can be negated with "Οχι, δεν πηγαίνω στο σχολείο" (No, I am not going to school).
2. Δεν - Den (Not): This is a negative particle that is used to negate verbs and adjectives in Greek. It's placed before the verb or adjective, and is followed by the subject. For example, "Δεν μιλάω Ελληνικά" (I don't speak Greek) uses the negative particle "δεν" before the verb "μιλάω" (speak).
3. Μη - Mi (Not): This is a negative particle that is used to negate verbs in the subjunctive mood or imperative mood. It's placed before the verb, and is not followed by a subject. For example, "Μη φύγεις" (Don't leave) uses the negative particle "μη" before the verb "φύγεις" (leave).
4. Κανένας - Kanenas (None): This is a negative pronoun that is used to indicate the absence of a person or thing. It's often used in combination with the verb "έχω" (have) to indicate that someone doesn't have something. For example, "Δεν έχω κανένα χρήμα" (I don't have any money) uses the negative pronoun "κανένας" to indicate the absence of money.
5. Μηδείς - Midis (No one): This is a negative pronoun that is used to indicate the absence of a person. It's often used in combination with the verb "είμαι" (am) to indicate that someone isn't present. For example, "Μηδείς ήρθε" (No one came) uses the negative pronoun "μηδείς" to indicate the absence of a person.

In summary, negation in Greek can be expressed in a variety of ways depending on the context and the grammatical structure of the sentence. Understanding the different forms of negation and when to use them is important for effective communication in the Greek language.

Examples

English	Greek	Pronunciation
I am not sad	Εγώ δεν είμαι λυπημένος/η.	ego-den-ime-lipimenos/lipimeni (female)
you are not sad	Εσύ δεν είσαι λυπημένος/η.	esi-den-ise-lipimenos/lipimeni (female)
he is not sad	Αυτός δεν είναι λυπημένος.	aftos-den-ine-lipimenos
she is not sad	Αυτή δεν είναι λυπημένη.	afti-den-ine-lipimeni
it is not sad	Αυτό δεν είναι λυπημένο.(neutral,not so common)	afto-den-ine-lipimeno (not so common in greek)
we are not sad	Εμείς δεν είμαστε λυπημένοι/ες.	emis-den-imaste-lipimeni-lipimenes (female)
you are not sad	Εσείς δεν είσαστε/είστε λυπημένοι/ες.	esis-den-isaste-lipimeni-lipimenes (female)
they are not sad	Αυτοί/αυτές/αυτά δεν είναι λυπημένοι/ες/α.	afti/aftes (female) / afta (neutral) den-ine lipimeni lipimenes-lipimena

So, it goes like this all the way. Here are a few examples:

• Am i not a good student? - Εγώ δεν είμαι καλός μαθητής; or -Εγώ δεν είμαι καλός μαθητής; (both right,depends on translation)
• Those are not yellow. - Εκείνα δεν είναι κίτρινα.
• I will not come. - Εγώ δε θα έρθω.
• She is not good with this/that - Αυτή δεν είναι καλή μ' αυτό/ μ΄εκείνο.

Negation in greek can be create with the word δεν (den). In every tense and question also.

Subject-verb agreement

When there are several subjects, the verb is put in the plural and in the dominant person (the α' is dominant over β' and the β' is dominant over γ').

That's to say: We say the sentence: We will go to the stadium. But who do we mean by «εμείς» (we)? They can be the following:

εγώ + εσύ we will go to the stadium.

• Two subjects (εγώ + εσύ: I + you = 1st and 2nd person of the singular) > the verb enters in the 1st person plural.

Εγώ κι αυτός we will go to the stadium.

• Two subjects (Εγώ κι αυτός: me and him = first and third person singular) > the verb enters in the first person plural.

Εγώ κι εσείς we will all go to the stadium.

• Multiple subjects (me + you = 1st person singular + 2nd person plural) > the verb is in the 1st person plural.

Εγώ κι αυτοί we will go to the stadium.

• Multiple subjects (I + they = 1st person singular + 3rd person plural)> the verb is in the 1st person plural.

Other Lessons

• Greek Adverbs
• How to Use Have
• Pronoms possessifs
• Interjections
• Direct and indirect speech
• Verb To Be
• Voice tense
• Sentense Structure
• Subject Verb Agreement
• Words with 2 accents