LingoflyTwo "not"s: δεν and μην
Greek says "not" with a separate word in front of the verb, never a prefix: δεν καταλαβαίνω (den katalavéno) — I don't understand. But there are two such words, and you have to choose. For example: “Δεν (den) μιλάω (miláo) ελληνικά” (eliniká) — I don't speak Greek. A rule from the Greek course: worked out on examples, not memorized as a wording.
How it works
Greek says "not" with a separate word in front of the verb, never a prefix: δεν καταλαβαίνω (den katalavéno) — I don't understand. But there are two such words, and you have to choose.
δεν (den) goes with statements about what is or was: δεν (den) δουλεύω (dulévo) (den dulévo), δεν (den) ήρθε (írthe) (den írthe). μην (min) goes with a ban, a plea, and everything after να (na). μην (min) καπνίζετε (kapnízete) (min kapnízete) — don't smoke. θέλω (thélo) να (na) μην (min) αργήσω (aryíso) (thélo na min aryíso) — I'd rather not be late.
The rule is short: after να (na), or in an order — μην (min); everywhere else — δεν (den). English uses one "not" for both jobs, which is exactly why the wrong twin slips out.
By example
How the rule settles in your head
A rule is not memorized from an explanation. It is memorized from an attempt to use it and a mistake — that is why the app delivers it mixed in with words, not as a separate lesson: it resurfaces exactly where you forgot it.
Frequently asked
Δεν (den) vs μην (min) in Greek?
The rule is short: after να (na), or in an order — μην (min); everywhere else — δεν (den). English uses one "not" for both jobs, which is exactly why the wrong twin slips out.
Δεν (den) or μην (min): which not to use?
The rule is short: after να (na), or in an order — μην (min); everywhere else — δεν (den). English uses one "not" for both jobs, which is exactly why the wrong twin slips out.
Why μην (min) follows να (na) and not δεν (den)?
The rule is short: after να (na), or in an order — μην (min); everywhere else — δεν (den). English uses one "not" for both jobs, which is exactly why the wrong twin slips out.
How to say do not smoke in Greek?
Greek says "not" with a separate word in front of the verb, never a prefix: δεν καταλαβαίνω (den katalavéno) — I don't understand. But there are two such words, and you have to choose.
What does it look like in a Greek example sentence?
“Δεν (den) μιλάω (miláo) ελληνικά” (eliniká) (den miláo eliniká) — I don't speak Greek. A rule is easier to test on sentences like this than to memorize as a wording: what surfaces in conversation is the sentence.