The verb’s little words: θα, να, ας, μη
Four particles steer the Greek verb: θα (future), να (want/should), ας (let’s), μη (don’t).
θα — the future
θα + verb = future or supposition: Θα έρθω αύριο (I’ll come tomorrow), Θα είναι ο Νίκος (that must be Nikos). At A1, θα + present gives you a serviceable future.
- Θα έρθω αύριο.I’ll come tomorrow.
- Θα δουλεύουμε όλο το πρωί.We’ll be working all morning.
- Θα είναι ο Νίκος.That must be Nikos.
να — the do-everything word
Where English uses an infinitive, Greek uses να + a conjugated verb: Θέλω να φάω (I want to eat), Μπορείς να έρθεις; (can you come?), Πρέπει να φύγω (I must leave). Modern Greek has no infinitive — να does its job.
- Θέλω να φάω.I want to eat.
- Μπορείς να έρθεις;Can you come?
- Πρέπει να φύγω.I have to go.
ας and μη
ας = “let’s / let it”: Ας πάμε! (let’s go!), Ας είναι (so be it). μη(ν) = prohibition or worry: Μην αργείς! (don’t be late!), often alone: Μη! (don’t!).
- Ας πάμε!Let’s go!
- Ας αρχίσουμε.Let’s begin.
- Μην αργείς!Don’t be late!
- Μη μιλάς δυνατά!Don’t talk loudly!
Order with the pronouns
Particle first, then the weak pronoun, then the verb: Θα σου πω (I’ll tell you), Να με περιμένεις! (wait for me!), Μην το ξεχάσεις! (don’t forget it!).
- Θα σου πω.I’ll tell you.
- Να με περιμένεις!Wait for me!
- Ας το δοκιμάσουμε.Let’s try it.
- Μην το ξεχάσεις!Don’t forget it!
Your turn
Choose the correct form.
Често задавани въпроси
Why does Modern Greek have no infinitive?
It lost it, and «να» does the job: where English uses an infinitive, Greek uses «να» + a conjugated verb. «Θέλω να φάω» (I want to eat), «Μπορείς να έρθεις;» (can you come?), «Πρέπει να φύγω» (I must leave).
What does «θα» do in Greek?
It marks the future, and also a supposition: «Θα έρθω αύριο» (I'll come tomorrow), «Θα είναι ο Νίκος» (that must be Nikos). At A1, «θα» + present gives you a perfectly serviceable future.
In what order do «θα», the pronouns and the verb go?
Particle first, then the weak pronoun, then the verb: «Θα σου πω» (I'll tell you), «Να με περιμένεις!» (wait for me!), «Μην το ξεχάσεις!» (don't forget it!).