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Questions & Answers about Όχι, δεν έχουμε καφέ τώρα.
Why are there two negatives: Όχι and δεν? Do they cancel each other?
They don’t cancel. Όχι is a standalone interjection meaning No (answering a question), and δεν is the normal sentence negator used with verbs. So Όχι, δεν έχουμε… is just No, we don’t have…, not a double negative turning positive.
Can I write δε instead of δεν here?
Not here. The next word (έχουμε) starts with a vowel, so standard spelling keeps the final -ν: δεν έχουμε. In general, the -ν in words like δεν/μην/τον/την:
- is kept before vowels and before κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ and the clusters γκ, μπ, ντ, τσ, τζ,
- may drop before other consonants.
Examples: δεν έχω, δεν πάω, but often δε θέλω.
How do I pronounce the sentence?
Roughly: OH-hee, then E-hu-me ka-FEH TO-ra.
Details:
- Όχι = [ˈoçi] (χ here is like German “ich” [ç], not English “h”)
- δεν = [ðen] (δ is like English “th” in “this”)
- έχουμε = [ˈeçume]
- καφέ = [kaˈfe]
- τώρα = [ˈtora]
Why is it καφέ and not καφές?
Because καφέ here is the accusative case as the direct object of έχουμε. The noun is masculine:
- Singular: nominative ο καφές, genitive του καφέ, accusative τον καφέ (often bare καφέ with no article in an indefinite/mass sense)
- Plural: nominative οι καφέδες, genitive των καφέδων, accusative τους καφέδες.
Why is there no article before καφέ?
Greek often drops the article with mass or indefinite meaning. Δεν έχουμε καφέ means “we don’t have (any) coffee.” If you use an article, it points to a specific item: Δεν έχουμε τον καφέ would mean “we don’t have the coffee (that we were talking about),” which is a different, more specific idea.
Could I say Δεν έχουμε έναν καφέ?
That would mean “We don’t have one coffee (one cup),” which is unusual unless you literally mean a single serving someone ordered. To express “any coffee,” use bare καφέ or add καθόλου for emphasis: Δεν έχουμε (καθόλου) καφέ.
How do I say “we don’t have any coffee at all”?
Use καθόλου: Δεν έχουμε καθόλου καφέ.
Greek allows “negative concord,” so pairing δεν with words like καθόλου, ποτέ, κανείς, τίποτα is normal:
- Δεν έχουμε καθόλου καφέ.
- Δεν έχει μείνει τίποτα.
Can I change the word order?
Yes. Common variants:
- Τώρα δεν έχουμε καφέ. (fronts “now” for emphasis on time)
- Καφέ δεν έχουμε τώρα. (fronts “coffee” for focus on what is lacking)
- Δεν έχουμε καφέ τώρα. (neutral)
Greek word order is flexible; fronted elements carry emphasis/focus.
Is τώρα necessary?
No. Δεν έχουμε καφέ is a general statement. τώρα narrows it to the present moment. Alternatives:
- αυτή τη στιγμή = “right now”
- προς το παρόν = “for the time being”
- πια / πλέον with negation = “anymore”: Δεν έχουμε πια/πλέον καφέ.
Does Greek distinguish “we don’t have” vs “we aren’t having” like English?
No. The present tense covers both simple and progressive meanings. Δεν έχουμε καφέ (τώρα) can be “we don’t have coffee (now)” or “we aren’t having coffee (right now).” Adding τώρα/αυτή τη στιγμή makes the “right now” sense explicit.
Is starting with Όχι polite?
It’s direct and fine in everyday speech. To sound softer/more polite (e.g., with a customer), you can say:
- Λυπάμαι, δεν έχουμε καφέ τώρα. (I’m sorry…)
- Δυστυχώς, δεν έχουμε καφέ τώρα. (Unfortunately…)
- Προς το παρόν δεν σερβίρουμε καφέ. (We aren’t serving coffee for the time being.)
How do I ask “Do you have coffee now?” politely?
- Neutral/formal: Έχετε καφέ τώρα;
- More polite/tentative: Μήπως έχετε καφέ τώρα;
- Casual singular (to one person): Έχεις καφέ τώρα;
What’s the difference between δεν, μη(ν), and όχι?
- δεν: negates indicative verb forms (statements/questions): Δεν έχουμε.
- μη(ν): used with the subjunctive/imperatives/prohibitions: Να μην αργήσεις, Μην έρθεις.
- όχι: “no” as an interjection, or to negate a whole phrase: Όχι καφέ, τσάι.
Why does Όχι have an accent even with a capital letter?
Modern Greek keeps the accent (τόνος) on multi‑syllable words even when the first letter is capitalized: Όχι, Τώρα. In all‑caps text (e.g., signs), accents are often omitted: ΟΧΙ.
Could καφέ here mean “brown” or “a café (coffee shop)”?
No, not in this sentence.
- καφέ as color (brown) is an indeclinable adjective: ένα καφέ παλτό (a brown coat).
- το καφέ (indeclinable) can colloquially mean “the café” (the place).
With έχουμε καφέ, the natural reading is the beverage.
Can I replace τώρα with something like “anymore”?
Yes, but the meaning changes.
- Δεν έχουμε καφέ τώρα. = we don’t have coffee now (at this moment).
- Δεν έχουμε πια/πλέον καφέ. = we don’t have coffee anymore (we no longer have it).
What are the forms of έχω I should know here?
Present tense:
- εγώ έχω
- εσύ έχεις
- αυτός/αυτή/αυτό έχει
- εμείς έχουμε
- εσείς έχετε
- αυτοί/αυτές/αυτά έχουν(ε) (final -ε is optional in speech)
Where is the subject “we”? Why isn’t εμείς used?
Greek usually drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the subject. έχουμε already means “we have.” You can add εμείς for emphasis/contrast: Εμείς δεν έχουμε καφέ τώρα, αλλά αυτοί έχουν.