προτείνω is the everyday verb for offering an idea, solution, candidate, or course of action. It also supplies an honest exception to the two-stem model: several active imperfective and perfective forms are identical, so context—not spelling—carries the aspect contrast.
Principal parts
| Slot | Form | What is visible |
|---|---|---|
| Present | προτείνω, προτείνεις, προτείνει, προτείνουμε, προτείνετε, προτείνουν | present stem |
| Imperfect | πρότεινα | internal augment προ-έ- |
| Aorist | πρότεινα | identical to the imperfect |
| Dependent | προτείνω | identical to the present |
| Imperative | πρότεινε / προτείνετε | |
| Perfect | έχω προτείνει | |
| Passive | προτείνομαι · προτάθηκα · να προταθώ | the learned προταθ- stem appears |
| Participles | προτεινόμενος; προταθείς(formal) | being proposed; having been proposed |
| -μένος result participle for “suggest” | does not exist | not προτειμένος |
Aspect without a visible contrast
The active past πρότεινα can describe an unfolding or open repeated activity (imperfect), or package a proposal or finite series as bounded (aorist). Time expressions and discourse context do all the work.
This is genuinely irregular and must be memorized. There is no hidden pronunciation difference and no alternative active past form that restores the usual aspect contrast.
Σε κάθε συνάντηση πρότεινα άλλες λύσεις, αλλά κανείς δεν άκουγε.
se káthe sinándisi prótina áles lísis, alá kanís dhen ákuye
At every meeting I would suggest different solutions, but nobody listened.
Στη χθεσινή συνάντηση πρότεινα μια απλούστερη λύση και τη δέχτηκαν.
sti chthesiní sinándisi prótina mia aplústeri lísi ke ti dhéchtikan
At yesterday's meeting I proposed a simpler solution and they accepted it.
The same invisibility recurs in προτείνω: συνήθως προτείνω is present/imperfective, while θα προτείνω and να προτείνω can be perfective. Do not invent a second stem just because other verbs have one.
Government
- Accusative thing: propose a solution, price, or candidate.
- Genitive clitic for the recipient: σου προτείνω κάτι.
- να + dependent: suggest that someone do something.
- Accusative person + για: nominate someone for a role or award.
Σου προτείνω να κλείσεις τραπέζι, γιατί τις Παρασκευές γεμίζει.
su protíno na klísis trapézi, yatí tis Paraskevés yemízi
I suggest booking a table, because it fills up on Fridays.
Τι προτείνετε να κάνουμε με τα υπόλοιπα χρήματα;
ti protínete na kánume me ta ipólipa chrímata;
What do you suggest we do with the remaining money?
Η επιτροπή τον πρότεινε για διευθυντή του προγράμματος.
i epitropí ton prótine ya dhiefthindí tu proghrámatos
The committee nominated him as programme director.
The strong phrase σε σένα is not wrong. It is contrastive: Σου προτείνω κάτι is neutral, while Σε σένα προτείνω να μείνεις singles out “you.”
The passive and two participles
Προτάθηκε μια προσωρινή λύση μέχρι να επισκευαστεί το σύστημα.
protáthike mia prosoriní lísi méchri na episkevastí to sístima
A temporary solution was proposed until the system could be repaired.
Τα προτεινόμενα βιβλία είναι διαθέσιμα στη βιβλιοθήκη.
ta protinómena vivlía íne dhiathésima sti vivliothíki
The recommended books are available in the library.
There is also a separate homographic verb meaning “extend forward.” Its result participle is προτεταμένος, not a form of “suggest.”
Του πρότεινε το χέρι και εκείνος το έσφιξε χαμογελώντας.
tu prótine to chéri ke ekínos to ésfikse chamoyelóndas
She held out her hand and he shook it with a smile.
Set phrases
| Σου προτείνω να… | I suggest that you… |
| Τι προτείνετε; | What do you suggest? |
| προτείνω μια λύση | propose a solution |
| προτάθηκε για βραβείο | was nominated for an award |
| η πρόταση | proposal; also “sentence” in grammar |
Common Mistakes
Two invented forms arise from forcing a visible perfective stem onto the verb: ×προτείνησα must be πρότεινα, and ×να προτείνησω must be να προτείνω.
Μου πρότεινε να μείνω ακόμη μία μέρα και συμφώνησα.
mu prótine na míno akómi mía méra ke simfónisa
She suggested I stay one more day, and I agreed.
Key Takeaways
- προτείνω and να προτείνω look alike; imperfect and aorist are both πρότεινα.
- The passive reveals προταθ-: προτάθηκα, να προταθώ; προτεινόμενος is fully live.
- Use a genitive clitic for the recipient, να for the proposed action, and για when nominating a person.
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