The Greek Future: Θα and the Little Word Να
How to form the Greek future with θα, the difference between one-off and continuous future, and other uses of θα and να such as guesses, offers and suggestions.
Greek forms the future simply, with a small particle placed before the verb: θα. Its partner να does a lot of work too.
The formation
θα + verb (in the right form)
- Θα φάω. — I'll eat.
- Θα πάμε στην Αθήνα. — We'll go to Athens.
- Θα έρθει αύριο. — He'll come tomorrow.
The verb after θα is conjugated for the subject. Nothing else changes.
Two kinds of future
Greek verbs have two stems, and the choice matters:
- Perfective (one-off): Θα γράψω ένα μήνυμα. — I'll write a message (once).
- Continuous (repeated or ongoing): Θα γράφω κάθε μέρα. — I'll write every day.
The perfective form looks like the aorist stem: γράψω, φάω, δω (see), πάω, έρθω.
Common perfective forms after θα:
| Meaning | Θα + |
|---|---|
| eat | φάω |
| see | δω |
| say | πω |
| go | πάω |
| come | έρθω |
| take | πάρω |
| give | δώσω |
| do | κάνω |
| find | βρω |
| drink | πιω |
The particle να
να means "that" or "to", and introduces a verb where English would use an infinitive or a subjunctive:
- Θέλω να πάω. — I want to go.
- Πρέπει να φύγω. — I have to leave.
- Μπορώ να καθίσω; — May I sit?
- Θα ήθελα να μιλήσω. — I'd like to speak.
Suggestions and offers with να
Standing alone, να + verb makes a suggestion or an offer:
- Να πάμε; — Shall we go?
- Να σε βοηθήσω; — Shall I help you?
- Να πάρω ένα καφέ; — Shall I get a coffee?
Let's: ας
Ας + verb means "let's" or "let":
- Ας πάμε! — Let's go!
- Ας δούμε. — Let's see.
- Ας περιμένουμε. — Let's wait.
Wishes and commands
- Να είσαι καλά! — Take care! (literally "may you be well")
- Να προσέχεις! — Be careful!
- Καλά να περάσεις! — Have a good time.
Guessing with θα
Θα can also express a guess or probability about the present:
- Θα είναι αργά. — It's probably late.
- Θα είναι στο σπίτι. — He must be at home.
Polite requests: θα ήθελα
Θα ήθελα ένα νερό, παρακαλώ. — I would like a water, please. This "conditional" form is the polite way to order or request.
Negatives
- After θα, use δεν: Δεν θα πάω. — I won't go.
- After να, use μην (or να μην): Να μην ξεχάσεις. — Don't forget.
Time expressions
- αύριο — tomorrow
- μεθαύριο — the day after tomorrow
- την επόμενη εβδομάδα — next week
- του χρόνου — next year
- σύντομα — soon
- αργότερα — later
Learning strategy
- Learn θα + perfective forms for 10 common verbs.
- Use θέλω να, μπορώ να, πρέπει να.
- Practise suggestions: Να πάμε;
- Learn θα ήθελα for polite requests.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to conjugate the verb after θα and να.
- Using δεν after να.
- Looking for an infinitive.
Look up Greek verbs and expressions with English Greek Dictionary →
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