δεν

δεν

See also: Appendix:Variations of "den"

Greek

Alternative forms

• δε (de)

Etymology

From Ancient Greek οὐδέν (oudén, “in no way”).

Particle

δεν • (den) (negating particle)

1. not

   Δεν ήρθα χθες στο γραφείο.

   Den ī́rtha chthes sto grafeío.

   I didn't come to the office yesterday.

   Δεν έρχεσαι μαζί μας;

   Den érchesai mazí mas?

   Won't you come with us?

2. not (with stress on the negative aspect of a statement)

   Πήρε δεν πήρε εκατό ευρώ.

   Pī́re den pī́re ekató eurṓ.

   He didn't even get one hundred euros.

Usage notes

• This form is used only when the following letter is a vowel or a plosive consonant (ie κ, ξ, π, τ, ψ, γκ, ντ, μπ).
• δεν and δε are used with indicative verb forms, but μην and μη are used with subjunctive verbs and imperatives.

Synonyms

• μην (min)
• μη (mi)