Greek Negation: Δεν, Μην and Why Double Negatives Are Correct

Greek has two main words for "not", and unlike standard English, it requires negative words to agree.

Δεν: the ordinary "not"

Use δεν before a verb in the indicative mood, meaning statements and questions:

• Δεν ξέρω. — I don't know.
• Δεν μιλάω ελληνικά. — I don't speak Greek.
• Δεν είμαι κουρασμένος. — I'm not tired.
• Δεν θα έρθω. — I won't come.
• Δεν έχω χρόνο. — I don't have time.

The word goes directly before the verb (and any clitic pronouns): Δεν το ξέρω. Δεν με ακούει.

Μην: the "not" for commands and να-clauses

Use μην (or μη) for negative commands and after να:

• Μην πας! — Don't go!
• Μην ανησυχείς. — Don't worry.
• Μην ξεχάσεις. — Don't forget.
• Θέλω να μην πας. — I don't want you to go.
• Πρέπει να μην αργήσεις. — You mustn't be late.

Rule of thumb: δεν for facts, μην for wishes and commands.

Yes and no

• Ναι — yes
• Όχι — no
• Μάλιστα — certainly (polite)
• Ίσως — perhaps
• Βεβαίως / βέβαια — of course

A note on gestures: in Greece, a slight upward tilt of the head, often with a click of the tongue, means "no", while a downward nod usually means "yes". Watch out, as this can be confusing for visitors.

Negative words

• ποτέ — never, ever
• τίποτα — nothing, anything
• κανείς / κανένας / καμία / κανένα — nobody, no one, none
• πουθενά — nowhere, anywhere
• ούτε — nor, not even
• καθόλου — not at all
• ούτε ... ούτε ... — neither ... nor ...

Double negatives are correct

In Greek, a negative word is used together with δεν, and this is required, not an error:

• Δεν είδα κανέναν. — I didn't see anybody.
• Δεν έχω τίποτα. — I have nothing.
• Δεν πήγα πουθενά. — I didn't go anywhere.
• Δεν έρχεται ποτέ. — He never comes.
• Δεν ήρθε κανείς. — Nobody came.

Compare English: "I didn't see anybody" (one negative), while the Greek literally says "I didn't see nobody". The negative word can come first, but δεν still stays before the verb: Κανείς δεν ήρθε. — Nobody came. Only as a short answer does a negative word stand alone: Τίποτα. — Nothing.

Short answers

• Ποτέ. — Never.
• Τίποτα. — Nothing.
• Κανείς. — Nobody.
• Καθόλου. — Not at all.
• Ούτε εγώ. — Me neither.
• Ούτε λέξη. — Not a word.

Other useful negatives

• Όχι ακόμα. — Not yet.
• Δεν πειράζει. — It doesn't matter, never mind.
• Δεν πάει άλλο. — That's enough (it can't go on).
• Δεν ξέρω. — I don't know.
• Δεν καταλαβαίνω. — I don't understand.

Polite refusals

• Όχι, ευχαριστώ. — No, thank you.
• Δεν χρειάζεται. — There's no need.
• Λυπάμαι, αλλά δεν μπορώ. — I'm sorry, but I can't.

Learning tips

1. Learn δεν and μην with examples.
2. Practise double negatives: Δεν έχω τίποτα.
3. Learn the head gestures for yes and no.
4. Use short answers in conversation.

Common mistakes

• Using δεν in commands.
• Leaving out δεν when using τίποτα, κανείς.
• Using μην in ordinary statements.

Look up Greek negative words with English Greek Dictionary →