δε
Greek
editAlternative forms
edit- δεν (den)
Pronunciation
editEtymology 1
editPronunciation of δεν (den).
Particle
editδε • (de) (negating particle)
- Alternative form of δεν (den) used optionally without the ending ⟨ν⟩ before consonants ⟨ β δ θ φ χ λ ρ σ ζ γ μ ν ⟩ but not before ⟨γκ, μπ, ντ⟩
- Δε θέλω! Μη μου το κάνεις αυτό! ― De thélo! Mi mou to káneis aftó! ― I don't want! Don't do this to me!
Usage notes
edit- δεν (den) and δε are used with indicative verb forms, but μην (min) and μη (mi) are used with subjunctive verbs.
Related terms
editEtymology 2
editLearned borrowing from Ancient Greek δέ (dé, “and, but”).
Conjunction
editδε • (de)
- also, but also
- on the other hand used together with μεν (men)
- Ο μεν γαμπρός ήταν ευτυχισμένος, η δε νύφη έκλαιγε.
- O men gamprós ítan eftychisménos, i de nýfi éklaige.
- On the one hand, the groom was happy, on the other hand the bride was crying.
- (emphatic, in transitional use) especially
- Πάντοτε ήταν επιθετικός. Τώρα δε, που άρχισε να πίνει, έχει γίνει επικίνδυνος.
- Pántote ítan epithetikós. Tóra de, pou árchise na pínei, échei gínei epikíndynos.
- He has always been aggressive. And/especially now, that he started drinking, he became dangerous.
Further reading
edit- δε, δεν, in Λεξικό της κοινής νεοελληνικής [Dictionary of Standard Modern Greek], Triantafyllidis Foundation, 1998 at the Centre for the Greek language