Modern Greek Grammar Lessons

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Lesson 22 Other uses of ‘να’

We have already used ‘να’ when we dealt with the subjunctives of verbs.

In this lesson we will deal with three of its other uses.

 

1 here, there

 

νάτος, νάτοι

here/there he is, here/there they are

νάτη, νάτες

here/there she is, here/there they are

νάτο, νάτα

here/there it is, here/there they are

να is fused with the last syllable of the nominative pronoun.

You will also see νά το, να το and να’τος.

The sentences below demonstrate how να, in the above context, is used

with nouns. Note the use of the accent and the fact that the nouns are subjects.

 

νά ο σκύλος

here/there is the dog

νά η γυναίκα

here/there is the woman

νά το παιδί

here/there is the child

νά οι σκύλοι

here/there are the dogs

νά οι γυναίκες

here/there are the women

νά τα παιδιά.

There are the children

  

2 to, for, that, so that, in order to

 

πήγα να τον δω

I went to see him

θέλω να φύγω

I want to leave

θέλω να φύγουν

I want them to leave

είναι ώρα να φύγουμε

it’s time that we left

ελπίζω να πάω

I hope to go

ελπίζω να πας

I hope that you (will) go

  

Τhe sentences below are translated like those above but include the word για

to add more emphasis to the actions taking place.

 

Πέρασα για να σας πω καλημέρα

I passed (by) to say good morning to you

Έμεινα σπίτι για να δουλέψω στον κήπο.

I stayed at home to work in the garden

Περπατώ σιγά για να μη γλιστρήσω.

I am walking slowly so that I do not slip

 

 

3 ‘can I , may I....etc’

 

να σας συστήσω;

can i introduce (to you)?

να σας προσφέρω ένα γλυκό;

may I offer you a sweet

να ζήσετε

may you live (a long life)

τι να κάνουμε;

what can we do?

τι να σας πω;

what can I say to you?

να πάω έξω, κύριε

can I go out sir?

να ρίξω μια ματιά;

can I have a look?  

(Think Greek:can I cast / throw a look?)

  Now try Crosswords 53 & 54