Two "not"s: δεν and μην
Negation is a separate word in front of the verb, not a prefix: δεν καταλαβαίνω — "I don't understand". But there are two such words, and the choice between them is obligatory. For example: “Δεν μιλάω ελληνικά” — I don't speak Greek. A rule from the Greek course: worked out on examples, not memorized as a wording.
How it works
Negation is a separate word in front of the verb, not a prefix: δεν καταλαβαίνω (den katalavéno) — "I don't understand". But there are two such words, and the choice between them is obligatory.
δεν (den) — for statements about what is or was: δεν δουλεύω (den dulévo), δεν ήρθε (den írthe). μην (min) — for prohibition, requests and everything after να (na): μην καπνίζετε (min kapnízete) — don't smoke; θέλω να μην αργήσω (thélo na min aryíso) — I want to not be late.
The rule is short: with a να or with a command — μην; in every other case — δεν. English manages with a single "not" for both jobs, and that is exactly why the wrong twin slips in.
By example
- Δεν μιλάω ελληνικάden miláo elinikáI don't speak Greek
- Μην πηγαίνετε εκείmin piyénete ekíDon't go there
- Δεν είναι μακριάden íne makriáIt's not far
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 vs μην in Greek?
Negation is a separate word in front of the verb, not a prefix: δεν καταλαβαίνω — "I don't understand". But there are two such words, and the choice between them is obligatory.
Δεν or μην: which not to use?
δεν — for statements about what is or was: δεν δουλεύω, δεν ήρθε. μην — for prohibition, requests and everything after να: μην καπνίζετε — don't smoke; θέλω να μην αργήσω — I want to not be late.
Why μην follows να and not δεν?
The rule is short: with a να or with a command — μην; in every other case — δεν. English manages with a single "not" for both jobs, and that is exactly why the wrong twin slips in.
How to say do not smoke in Greek?
The rule is short: with a να or with a command — μην; in every other case — δεν. English manages with a single "not" for both jobs, and that is exactly why the wrong twin slips in.
What does it look like in an example sentence Greek?
“Δεν μιλάω ελληνικά” (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.