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Questions & Answers about Θέλω να πάω μετά, όχι τώρα.
What does the particle να do in this sentence?
Modern Greek has no infinitive (no separate “to go” form), so it uses να plus a verb in the subjunctive to express that meaning. After verbs like θέλω (I want), μπορώ (I can), πρέπει (I must), you typically see να: Θέλω να πάω = “I want to go.” The να itself is not translated directly; it marks the subordinate verb.
Why is it πάω and not πηγαίνω?
It’s an aspect choice. Να πάω is perfective (a single, whole trip: “to go (once)” later), which fits “later, not now.” Να πηγαίνω would be imperfective (ongoing/habitual: “to be going / to go regularly”). For example:
- Θέλω να πάω μετά = I want to go later (one time).
- Θέλω να πηγαίνω αργότερα κάθε μέρα = I want to go later every day.
How do I pronounce the whole sentence?
IPA: [ˈθelo na ˈpao meˈta ˈoçi ˈtora]
Rough guide: Thélo na páo metá, óchi tóra.
Notes:
- θ as in English “th” in “think.”
- χ before ι (as in όχι) is a soft h-like sound [ç] (not “k”).
- πάω is pronounced pá-o (often smoothed to “páo” in fast speech). Stress is on the accented vowels.
Why is there a comma before όχι τώρα?
It marks a contrast (“later, not now”). You’d also pause there when speaking. Without the comma it’s not wrong, but the comma makes the contrast clearer.
Why is it όχι τώρα and not δεν τώρα?
Δεν negates verbs (“I don’t want…”), while όχι negates nouns/adverbs or an entire idea (“not now”). So:
- Όχι τώρα = Not now.
- Δεν θέλω να πάω τώρα = I don’t want to go now.
What’s the difference between μετά, αργότερα, and ύστερα?
- Μετά = “after(wards), then.” Neutral and very common. Also used with a noun: μετά (από) το μάθημα = after the class.
- Αργότερα = “later” (often a bit more indefinite/polite).
- Ύστερα = also “after(wards), then,” more narrative or regionally flavored but perfectly acceptable.
Can I move μετά to another position?
Yes, to change emphasis:
- Μετά θέλω να πάω, όχι τώρα. (Emphasizes “later.”)
- Θέλω μετά να πάω, όχι τώρα. (Also fine; slightly marked.)
- Θέλω να πάω—όχι τώρα—μετά. (Spoken contrast.)
All are grammatical; the original is the most neutral.
How do I make this sound more polite/soft?
Use conditional or hedging:
- Θα ήθελα να πάω μετά, όχι τώρα. = I would like to go later, not now.
- Μπορώ να πάω μετά; = Can I go later?
- Θα προτιμούσα να πάω μετά. = I’d prefer to go later.
How do I say “I don’t want to go now”?
Δεν θέλω να πάω τώρα.
You can also say: Προτιμώ να πάω μετά. = I prefer to go later.
Is πάω να the same as θέλω να πάω?
No. Πάω να + verb means “I’m going to (do something) right now/soon”: Πάω να φύγω = I’m about to leave. It expresses immediate intention, not desire. Don’t use it for “I want to go later.”
Is πάω one or two syllables?
In careful speech it’s two (pá-o, [ˈpa.o]). In fast speech many speakers glide it to something like “páo” ([ˈpao]). The stress stays on the first vowel.
Can I say “after the meeting” with μετά?
Yes: μετά (από) τη συνάντηση = after the meeting. Both μετά τη συνάντηση and μετά από τη συνάντηση are common in Modern Greek.
What’s the difference between Θέλω να πάω μετά and Θα πάω μετά?
- Θέλω να πάω μετά = I want to go later (desire).
- Θα πάω μετά = I will go later (plan/decision or prediction). They’re not interchangeable in tone.
Do I need to say εγώ?
No. Greek drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the subject. Θέλω να πάω… already means “I want to go…”. Use Εγώ θέλω… only to add emphasis (e.g., “I want to go later, not them”).