Language/Modern-greek-1453/Grammar/Imperative-Mood-in-Greek

The imperative Mood in Greek - Προστακτική

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?

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

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

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

The verbs are categorized into two main conjugation classes:

1. 1st Conjugation: These are verbs that follow the regular conjugation patterns of the 1st conjugation in Greek. They belong to the 1st conjugation class.
2. 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

➡ Marianthi

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Other Lessons

• 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