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δεν. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
δεν, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
δεν in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
δεν you have here. The definition of the word
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Greek
Etymology
Inherited from Byzantine Greek δέν (dén), from Ancient Greek οὐδέν (oudén, “in no way”).
Pronunciation
Particle
δεν • (den) (negating particle)
- not
- Δεν ήρθα χθες στο γραφείο. ― Den írtha 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?
- not (with stress on the negative aspect of a statement)
- Πήρε δεν πήρε εκατό ευρώ. ― Píre den píre ekató evró. ― He didn't even get one hundred euros.
Usage notes
- This form is used when the following letter is a vowel or a plosive consonant (κ, τ, π, ξ, ψ, γκ, ντ, μπ). Elsewhere δε (de) may be used.
- δεν (den) and δε (de) are used with indicative verb forms, but μην (min) and μη (mi) are used with subjunctive verbs and imperatives.
Synonyms
Further reading