Playing hide and seek with the final n Posted by Ourania on Feb 19, 2015 in Grammar
One of the most confusing topics is the maintenance of the final ν of some articles, pronouns and particles, mostly because the grammar books contain different rules about it.
Below, there’s a list of the cases where the final ν is maintained or omitted. These rules apply mostly when speaking. In written speech the article ν is maintained.
- The article τον
Μίλησα με τον Τάσο. I talked to Tasos.
Μίλησα με το δάσκαλο. I talked to the teacher.
- The article την
Είμαι από την Αθήνα. I come from Athens.
Η Ειρήνη είναι από τη Νάξο. Irene comes from Naxos.
- The personal pronoun την
Την είδα χθες το βράδυ. I saw her last night.
Μου αρέσει αυτή η φούστα. Τη θέλω. I like this skirt. I want it.
- The indefinite article έναν
Αγοράσαμε έναν καναπέ. We bought a cough.
Χθες το βράδυ είδα ένα γνωστό. Last night I met an acquaintance.
- The cardinal number έναν
Ήπια έναν καφέ όχι δύο. I drunk one coffee not two.
Φάγαμε ένα μουσακά και δύο σαλάτες και ήπιαμε τρεις μπύρες. We ate a mousaka and two salads, and drunk three beers.
- The particle δεν
Πού είναι ο Γιώργος; Δεν τον βλέπω. Where’s George? I don’t see him.
Δε θέλω άλλο κρασί, ευχαριστώ. I don’t want more wine, thank you.
- The particle μην
Μην έρθεις αύριο, έλα την Τρίτη. Don’t come tomorrow, come on Tuesday.
Μη με ξυπνήσεις νωρίς. Don’t wake me up early.
The final ν is preserved:
- When the following word starts by a vowel
Άκουσα την ιστορία. I heard the story.
- When the following word starts by κ, π, τ, μπ, ντ, γκ, τζ, τσ, ξ, ψ
Μήπως είδες την τσάντα μου; Did you see my bag?
Ποιος είναι ο Γιάννης; Δεν τον ξέρω! Who’s Yannis? I don’t know him.
Δεν περάσαμε καλά χθες. We didn’t have a nice time yesterday.
Μην τρως τόσο πολύ. Don’t eat so much.
The final ν is omitted when the word that follows starts by β, γ, δ, ζ, θ, λ, μ, ν, ρ, σ, φ, χ.
Πώς λένε τη φίλη σου; What’s your friend’s name?
Θα μείνουν στην Ελλάδα ένα χρόνο. They will stay in Greece for a year.
Θα τη βρω όπου κι αν πάει. I’ll find her wherever she goes.
Μη ρωτήσεις το Νίκο για τους γονείς του. Don’t ask Niko about his parents.
The final ν is never omitted from:
- the personal pronoun αυτόν and τον
Μην ανησυχείς. Θα τον ξεχάσεις σύντομα. Don’t worry. You’ll forget him soon.
“Πού είναι ο Χάρης;” “Δεν ξέρω. Κι εγώ αυτόν ψάχνω.” Where’s Haris? I don’t know. I’m looking for him too.
- the article των (genitive plural)
Η τιμές των σπιτιών είναι πολύ υψηλές. The prices of the houses are too high.
Καταλαβαίνεις τη σημασία αυτών των λέξεων; Do you understand the meaning of these words?
- The adverb σαν
Νιώθω σαν να σε ξέρω χρόνια. I feel like I’ve known you for ages.
Build vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and more with Transparent Language Online. Available anytime, anywhere, on any device.
About the Author: Ourania
Ourania lives in Athens. She holds a degree in French Literature and a Master’s degree in Special Education for Children. Since 2008, she has been teaching Greek to foreigners.
Comments:
Danyela:
Καναπέ is couch in English, not cough 😉