Difference between revisions of "Language/Modern-greek-1453/Grammar/Negative-Sentence"

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= Turning an Affirmative Sentence into a Negative Sentence in Modern Greek =
== '''Turning an Affirmative Sentence into a Negative Sentence''' ==
The Greek language possesses its unique ways of expressing negation and turning affirmative sentences into negative ones. The lesson below aims to familiarize you with these negative expressions and demonstrate how to apply them effectively to enhance your Greek communication skills.
How to use negation in Greek modern to create negative sentences?


In this lesson, we’ll focus on negation and how to turn an affirmative sentence into a negative one. In addition, we’ll present you with the most common negation words and phrases, as well as the most popular ways to give a negative response to a question.
== Negation in Greek ==
In Modern Greek, one can easily transform an affirmative sentence into its negative equivalent by merely appending the particle 'δεν' (den), translating to 'not,' before the verb in the indicative mood.


Modifying an affirmative sentence to have a negative meaning can be achieved by simply adding the particle '''δεν''' (den) – “'''not'''“ before the verb in the indicative mood.
For instance, the affirmative sentence 'Η Μαρία διαβάζει κάθε μέρα.' (I María diavázi káthe méra), meaning 'Maria studies every day', becomes 'Η Μαρία δε διαβάζει κάθε μέρα.' (I María den diavázi káthe méra), or 'Maria doesn’t study every day', when negated.
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Affirmative Sentence'''
|'''Negative Sentence'''
|-
|
* '''Greek:''' Η Μαρία διαβάζει κάθε μέρα.
* I María diavázi káthe méra.
* Maria studies every day.
|
* '''Greek:''' Η Μαρία '''δε''' διαβάζει κάθε μέρα.
* I María den diavázi káthe méra''.''
* Maria doesn’t study every day.
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Affirmative  Sentence'''
|'''Negative  Sentence'''
|-
|
* '''Greek:''' Θέλω να επισκεφτώ την Ελλάδα.
* Thélo na episkeftó tin Elláda.''.''
* I want to visit Greece.”
|
* '''Greek:''' '''Δε''' θέλω να επισκεφτώ την Ελλάδα.
* Den thélo na episkeftó tin Eláda.
* I don’t want to visit Greece.
|}
When it comes to complex sentences, consisting of two or more clauses connected by the conjunction '''και''' (ke) – “and,” the particle “'''δεν'''” should be placed before each verb.  


In that way, you can negate the meaning of both sentences.
Similarly, 'Θέλω να επισκεφτώ την Ελλάδα.' (Thélo na episkeftó tin Elláda), translating to 'I want to visit Greece,' turns into 'Δε θέλω να επισκεφτώ την Ελλάδα.' (Den thélo na episkeftó tin Eláda), or 'I don’t want to visit Greece,' when negated.
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Affirmative  Sentence'''
|'''Negative  Sentence'''
|-
|
* '''Greek:''' Χθες πήγαμε σινεμά και φάγαμε ποπ κόρν.
* Htes pígame sinemá ke fágame popkórn''.''
* Yesterday, we went to the cinema and we ate popcorn.
|
* '''Greek:''' Χθες '''δεν''' πήγαμε σινεμά και '''δε''' φάγαμε ποπ κόρν.
* Htes den pígame sinemá ke den fágame popkórn.
* Yesterday, we didn’t go to the cinema and we didn’t eat popcorn.”
|}


== However the solution is simple: just place a '''“δεν”''' before the verb you want to negate. ==
== Negation in Complex Sentences ==
{| class="wikitable"
Complex sentences composed of two or more clauses connected by the conjunction 'και' (ke), which means 'and,' require the placement of the particle 'δεν' before each verb to negate the whole sentence.
|'''Negating the 1st  Statement'''
|'''Negating the 2nd  Statement'''
|-
|
* '''Greek:''' Χθες δεν πήγαμε σινεμά και φάγαμε ποπ κορν.
* Htes den pígame sinemá ke fágame pop korn
* Yesterday, we didn’t go to the cinema and we ate popcorn.”
|
* '''Greek:''' Χθες πήγαμε σινεμά και '''δε''' φάγαμε ποπ κορν.
* Htes den pígame sinemá ke den fágame pop korn''.''
* Yesterday, we went to the cinema and we didn’t eat popcorn.
|}
The imperative mood in Greek (which is the mood that expresses commands) doesn’t have its own negation form, it uses the negation form of the subjunctive mood:


the following '''particle + the verb''' in the subjunctive mood.
For instance, the affirmative sentence 'Χθες πήγαμε σινεμά και φάγαμε ποπ κόρν.' (Htes pígame sinemá ke fágame popkórn), meaning 'Yesterday, we went to the cinema and we ate popcorn,' becomes 'Χθες δεν πήγαμε σινεμά και δε φάγαμε ποπ κόρν.' (Htes den pígame sinemá ke den fágame popkórn), or 'Yesterday, we didn’t go to the cinema and we didn’t eat popcorn,' when negated.
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Greek :''' Η μαμά κοιμάται. '''Μη''' φωνάζεις!
|-
|I mamá kimáte. Mi fonázis!.
|-
|Mommy is sleeping. Don’t yell
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Greek :''' Ο ήρωας έπεσε  κάτω, '''μην έχοντας''' τη δύναμη να συνεχίσει.
|-
|O íroas  épese káto, min éhondas ti dínami na sinehísi.
|-
|The hero fell down, '''not''' having the strength to continue
|}
In Greek, double negatives only create a positive statement some of the time. It really depends on the choice of words.


Here’s an example of two negations making a positive statement:
== Negation in the Imperative Mood ==
{| class="wikitable"
The Greek imperative mood, which expresses commands, doesn't have its own negation form. Instead, it employs the negation form of the subjunctive mood, represented by the following particle + the verb in the subjunctive mood.
|'''Greek : Δεν''' θέλω να '''μην''' κοιμάσαι.
|-
|Den thélo na min kimáse.
|-
|I don’t want (you) not to sleep
|-
|'''Meaning :''' I want you to sleep.
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Greek : Κανείς, μα κανείς''' δεν θα το μάθει.
|-
|Kanís, ma kanís den tha to máthi.
|-
|Νobody, but nobody won’t learn this
|-
|'''Meaning :''' Nobody will find out about this.
|}
Saying '''όχι''' “no” to question, you can simply say:


'''Greek: Όχι / Óhi / No'''
For example, 'Η μαμά κοιμάται. Μη φωνάζεις!' (I mamá kimáte. Mi fonázis!) translates to 'Mommy is sleeping. Don’t yell!'
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Greek :''' – Θέλεις να πάμε  για καφέ;


– Όχι.
== Double Negatives ==
|-
In Greek, double negatives sometimes create a positive statement, depending on the choice of words. For example, 'Δεν θέλω να μην κοιμάσαι.' (Den thélo na min kimáse) translates to 'I don’t want (you) not to sleep,' which implies 'I want you to sleep.'
|''–'' Τhélis na páme yia  kafé?            


– Óhi''.''
== Saying 'No' to a Question ==
|-
To give a negative response to a question, you can simply say 'Όχι' (Óhi), which means 'No.' For example, in response to the question 'Θέλεις να πάμε για καφέ?' (Thélis na páme yia kafé?), meaning 'Do you want to go for a coffee?', one can simply reply, 'Όχι' (Óhi), or 'No.'
|– Do you want to go for a coffee?            


– No
== Negation Words and Phrases ==
|}
In addition to 'δεν' and 'Όχι,' Modern Greek has several other words and phrases to express negation:


== Negation Words and Phrases ==
# 'ποτέ' (poté) translates to 'never.' For example, 'Δεν έχω πάει ποτέ στην Ελλάδα.' (Den ého pái poté stin Elláda) means 'I have never been to Greece.'
{| class="wikitable"
# 'πουθενά' (puthená) translates to 'nowhere.' For example, 'Χθες έβρεχε και δεν πήγαμε πουθενά.' (Hthes évrehe ke den pígame puthená) translates to 'Yesterday, it was raining, and we didn’t go anywhere.'
|'''Greek :''' Δεν έχω πάει '''ποτέ''' στην Ελλάδα
# 'κανείς' (kanís) translates to 'nobody.' For example, 'Κανείς δεν ήρθε στα γενέθλιά μου.' (Kanís den írthe sta yenéthliá mu) means 'Nobody came on my birthday.'
|-
# 'τίποτα' (típota) translates to 'nothing.' For example, 'Τίποτα δεν θα μας χωρίσει.' (Típota den tha mas horísi) means 'Nothing will tear us apart.'
|Den ého pái poté stin Elláda''.''
# 'ούτε... ούτε...' (úte... úte...) translates to 'neither... nor....' For example, 'Δεν μου αρέσει ούτε το κρασί, ούτε η μπύρα.' (Den mu arési úte to krasí, úte i bíra) means 'I like neither wine nor beer.'
|-
|I have never been to Greece
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Greek :''' Χθες έβρεχε και δεν πήγαμε '''πουθενά.'''
|-
|Hthes évrehe ke den pígame puthená.
|-
|Yesterday, it was raining and we didn’t go anywhere
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Greek : Κανείς''' δεν ήρθε στα γενέθλιά μου.
|-
|Kanís den írthe sta yenéthliá mu.
|-
|Nobody came on my birthday
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Greek : Τίποτα''' δεν θα μας χωρίσει.
|-
|Típota den tha mas horísi.
|-
|'''Nothing''' will tear us apart
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Greek :''' Δεν μου αρέσει '''ούτε''' το κρασί, '''ούτε''' η μπύρα.
|-
|Den mu arési úte to krasí, úte i bíra.
|-
|I like '''neither'''  wine, '''nor''' beer
|}


Learning to use negation in Greek will help you express a wider range of thoughts and emotions, enriching your overall communication in this beautiful language. Practice using these examples, and in no time, you'll become fluent in Greek negation![[File:Μήτε+γέλωτα+προπετή+στέργε+μήτε+λόγον+μετά+θράσους+αποδέχου..jpg|thumb]]
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Revision as of 09:54, 23 May 2023

Turning an Affirmative Sentence into a Negative Sentence in Modern Greek

The Greek language possesses its unique ways of expressing negation and turning affirmative sentences into negative ones. The lesson below aims to familiarize you with these negative expressions and demonstrate how to apply them effectively to enhance your Greek communication skills.

Negation in Greek

In Modern Greek, one can easily transform an affirmative sentence into its negative equivalent by merely appending the particle 'δεν' (den), translating to 'not,' before the verb in the indicative mood.

For instance, the affirmative sentence 'Η Μαρία διαβάζει κάθε μέρα.' (I María diavázi káthe méra), meaning 'Maria studies every day', becomes 'Η Μαρία δε διαβάζει κάθε μέρα.' (I María den diavázi káthe méra), or 'Maria doesn’t study every day', when negated.

Similarly, 'Θέλω να επισκεφτώ την Ελλάδα.' (Thélo na episkeftó tin Elláda), translating to 'I want to visit Greece,' turns into 'Δε θέλω να επισκεφτώ την Ελλάδα.' (Den thélo na episkeftó tin Eláda), or 'I don’t want to visit Greece,' when negated.

Negation in Complex Sentences

Complex sentences composed of two or more clauses connected by the conjunction 'και' (ke), which means 'and,' require the placement of the particle 'δεν' before each verb to negate the whole sentence.

For instance, the affirmative sentence 'Χθες πήγαμε σινεμά και φάγαμε ποπ κόρν.' (Htes pígame sinemá ke fágame popkórn), meaning 'Yesterday, we went to the cinema and we ate popcorn,' becomes 'Χθες δεν πήγαμε σινεμά και δε φάγαμε ποπ κόρν.' (Htes den pígame sinemá ke den fágame popkórn), or 'Yesterday, we didn’t go to the cinema and we didn’t eat popcorn,' when negated.

Negation in the Imperative Mood

The Greek imperative mood, which expresses commands, doesn't have its own negation form. Instead, it employs the negation form of the subjunctive mood, represented by the following particle + the verb in the subjunctive mood.

For example, 'Η μαμά κοιμάται. Μη φωνάζεις!' (I mamá kimáte. Mi fonázis!) translates to 'Mommy is sleeping. Don’t yell!'

Double Negatives

In Greek, double negatives sometimes create a positive statement, depending on the choice of words. For example, 'Δεν θέλω να μην κοιμάσαι.' (Den thélo na min kimáse) translates to 'I don’t want (you) not to sleep,' which implies 'I want you to sleep.'

Saying 'No' to a Question

To give a negative response to a question, you can simply say 'Όχι' (Óhi), which means 'No.' For example, in response to the question 'Θέλεις να πάμε για καφέ?' (Thélis na páme yia kafé?), meaning 'Do you want to go for a coffee?', one can simply reply, 'Όχι' (Óhi), or 'No.'

Negation Words and Phrases

In addition to 'δεν' and 'Όχι,' Modern Greek has several other words and phrases to express negation:

  1. 'ποτέ' (poté) translates to 'never.' For example, 'Δεν έχω πάει ποτέ στην Ελλάδα.' (Den ého pái poté stin Elláda) means 'I have never been to Greece.'
  2. 'πουθενά' (puthená) translates to 'nowhere.' For example, 'Χθες έβρεχε και δεν πήγαμε πουθενά.' (Hthes évrehe ke den pígame puthená) translates to 'Yesterday, it was raining, and we didn’t go anywhere.'
  3. 'κανείς' (kanís) translates to 'nobody.' For example, 'Κανείς δεν ήρθε στα γενέθλιά μου.' (Kanís den írthe sta yenéthliá mu) means 'Nobody came on my birthday.'
  4. 'τίποτα' (típota) translates to 'nothing.' For example, 'Τίποτα δεν θα μας χωρίσει.' (Típota den tha mas horísi) means 'Nothing will tear us apart.'
  5. 'ούτε... ούτε...' (úte... úte...) translates to 'neither... nor....' For example, 'Δεν μου αρέσει ούτε το κρασί, ούτε η μπύρα.' (Den mu arési úte to krasí, úte i bíra) means 'I like neither wine nor beer.'

Learning to use negation in Greek will help you express a wider range of thoughts and emotions, enriching your overall communication in this beautiful language. Practice using these examples, and in no time, you'll become fluent in Greek negation!

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