Greek μη(ν) Or δε(ν) ?

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oh_kristine Sunday 17th of September 2006 11:43:08 PM
μη(ν) or δε(ν) ? - Hi all

I\'ve been told that μη is used with negative imperatives, subjuntives and participles, as in
. \"έφτασε μη μπορώντας να πει λέξη\"
. \"έφτασε. Να μην πει λέξη\"
however in
. \"αν δεν έρθει, θα φύγω\"
δε is used with a verb in subjunctive.
I\'m confused... When should I use μη( ν ) / δε( ν ) ?

Thanks

Luludya738 Monday 18th of September 2006 02:28:18 AM
-
The last example that you put \"αν δεν έρθει, θα φύγω\" (if (s)he doesn\'t come I\'ll leave) is NOT subjunctive, but a conditional. This is why you don\'t use the form \"μην\".

If it\'s easier for you, think that the equivalent translation for the cases in which one should use \"μην\" is an expression that includes the nagation \"not\" from english.
1. \"μη μπορώντας να πει λέξη\" = \"NOT being able to utter a word\"
2. \"Να μην πει λέξη\" = \"NOT to say a word\"

What I wrote about, is just a tendency, though, so be careful and don\'t generalise.

This is not available for imperatives for example. But then again, with the negative imperatives you must always use \"μην\" and not \"δεν\".

Phrasebase Archive
	oh_kristine	Sunday 17th of September 2006 11:43:08 PM
	μη(ν) or δε(ν) ? - Hi all I\'ve been told that μη is used with negative imperatives, subjuntives and participles, as in . \"έφτασε μη μπορώντας να πει λέξη\" . \"έφτασε. Να μην πει λέξη\" however in . \"αν δεν έρθει, θα φύγω\" δε is used with a verb in subjunctive. I\'m confused... When should I use μη( ν ) / δε( ν ) ? Thanks
	Luludya738	Monday 18th of September 2006 02:28:18 AM
	- The last example that you put \"αν δεν έρθει, θα φύγω\" (if (s)he doesn\'t come I\'ll leave) is NOT subjunctive, but a conditional. This is why you don\'t use the form \"μην\". If it\'s easier for you, think that the equivalent translation for the cases in which one should use \"μην\" is an expression that includes the nagation \"not\" from english. 1. \"μη μπορώντας να πει λέξη\" = \"NOT being able to utter a word\" 2. \"Να μην πει λέξη\" = \"NOT to say a word\" What I wrote about, is just a tendency, though, so be careful and don\'t generalise. This is not available for imperatives for example. But then again, with the negative imperatives you must always use \"μην\" and not \"δεν\".