Negatives in Greek

In Greek, forming negative sentences is simple and consistent across all tenses. With just one small word — δεν — you can turn any statement into a negative in the present, past, or future. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly where to place δεν, how it works with different verb tenses, and how to avoid common mistakes, with plenty of clear, real-life examples to help you apply it with confidence.

Using Δεν in the Present Tense

• The word δεν is used with all verbs in the present tense to negate an action or state.

• Position: Always place δεν right before the verb.

Examples of Negative Sentences in the Present Tense

1. Εγώ δεν γράφω. (Egó then gráfo.) – I am not writing.

2. Εσύ δεν τρως. (Esý then trós.) – You are not eating.

3. Αυτός δεν πίνει καφέ. (Aftós then píni kafé.) – He doesn’t drink coffee.

4. Αυτή δεν μιλάει ελληνικά. (Aftí then miláei elliniká.) – She doesn’t speak Greek.

5. Εμείς δεν δουλεύουμε σήμερα. (Emís then doulévoume símera.) – We are not working today.

6. Εσείς δεν διαβάζετε. (Esís then diavázete.) – You are not reading.

7. Αυτοί δεν παίζουν μπάσκετ. (Aftí then paízoun básket.) – They are not playing basketball.

8. Αυτές δεν τρώνε ψάρι. (Aftés then tróne psári.) – They (feminine) are not eating fish.

9. Αυτά δεν φεύγουν τώρα. (Aftá then févgoun tóra.) – They (neuter) are not leaving now.

10. Εγώ δεν αγαπάω το κρύο. (Egó then agapáo to krýo.) – I don’t love the cold.

Using Δεν in the Past Tense

• In the past tense, the structure remains the same: δεν is placed right before the verb.

• Past tense verbs, whether regular or irregular, are negated the same way.

Examples of Negative Sentences in the Past Tense

1. Δεν έγραψα το γράμμα. (Then égrapsa to grámma.) – I didn’t write the letter.

2. Δεν έφαγες το πρωινό σου. (Then éfages to proinó sou.) – You didn’t eat your breakfast.

3. Αυτός δεν ήπιε χυμό. (Aftós then ípie chimó.) – He didn’t drink juice.

4. Αυτή δεν μίλησε πολύ. (Aftí then mílise polí.) – She didn’t talk much.

5. Εμείς δεν παίξαμε ποδόσφαιρο. (Emís then paíksame podósfero.) – We didn’t play football.

6. Εσείς δεν είχατε χρόνο. (Esís then íchate chróno.) – You didn’t have time.

7. Αυτοί δεν δούλεψαν χθες. (Aftí then doúlepsan chtes.) – They didn’t work yesterday.

8. Αυτές δεν έφυγαν νωρίς. (Aftés then éfigan norís.) – They (feminine) didn’t leave early.

9. Δεν διάβασα το βιβλίο. (Then diávasa to vivlío.) – I didn’t read the book.

10. Δεν πήγα στο πάρτι. (Then píga sto párti.) – I didn’t go to the party.

Using Δεν in the Future Tense

• In the future tense, combine δεν with the particle θα (tha) and the base verb.

• The structure becomes: δεν + θα + verb.

Examples of Negative Sentences in the Future Tense

 

1. Δεν θα γράψω αύριο. (Then tha grápso ávrio.) – I won’t write tomorrow.

2. Δεν θα φας πολύ. (Then tha fás polí.) – You won’t eat much.

3. Αυτός δεν θα πιει νερό. (Aftós then tha piei neró.) – He won’t drink water.

4. Αυτή δεν θα δουλέψει αύριο. (Aftí then tha doulépsei ávrio.) – She won’t work tomorrow.

5. Δεν θα διαβάσουμε μαζί. (Then tha diavásoume mazí.) – We won’t study together.

6. Εσείς δεν θα φύγετε σύντομα. (Esís then tha fýgete sýntoma.) – You won’t leave soon.

7. Αυτοί δεν θα παίξουν μπάλα. (Aftí then tha paíksoun bála.) – They won’t play ball.

8. Αυτές δεν θα μαγειρέψουν. (Aftés then tha magirépsoun.) – They (feminine) won’t cook.

9. Δεν θα πάω στο σχολείο. (Then tha páo sto scholío.) – I won’t go to school.

10. Δεν θα αγαπήσω αυτό το μέρος. (Then tha agapíso aftó to méros.) – I won’t love this

place.

Common Mistakes and Tips

1. Avoid placing δεν after the verb:

o Incorrect: Γράφω δεν.

o Correct: Δεν γράφω.

2. Combine with θα for the future:

o Always use the sequence: δεν + θα + verb.

 

3. Use δεν consistently in all tenses:

o There is no need to alter δεν regardless of tense or subject.

 

More Practice Sentences

Here are mixed examples of negative sentences across all tenses:

1. Δεν πίνω γάλα. (Then píno gála.) – I don’t drink milk.

2. Δεν έφαγες το φαγητό σου. (Then éfages to fagitó sou.) – You didn’t eat your food.

3. Δεν θα πάμε διακοπές. (Then tha páme diakopés.) – We won’t go on vacation.

4. Δεν αγαπάς το καλοκαίρι. (Then agapás to kalokaíri.) – You don’t love summer.

5. Δεν διάβασα το άρθρο. (Then diávasa to árthro.) – I didn’t read the article.

In Greek, forming negative sentences is simple and consistent across all tenses. With just one small word — δεν — you can turn any statement into a negative in the present, past, or future. At the same time, Greek also uses μην, which is used in completely different situations, such as commands, requests, and the subjunctive mood.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly when to use δεν and when to use μην, where each one is placed in the sentence, how δεν works with all verb tenses, and how to avoid common mistakes—along with plenty of clear, real-life examples to help you apply everything with confidence.

Summary

• Present: Use δεν + verb.

• Past: Use δεν + past tense verb.

• Future: Use δεν + θα + verb.