Μην έρθεις αργά, σε παρακαλώ.

Please don't come late.

Breakdown of Μην έρθεις αργά, σε παρακαλώ.

• έρχομαι: to come
• μην: not
• αργά: late
• σε παρακαλώ: please

Questions & Answers about Μην έρθεις αργά, σε παρακαλώ.

Why is it μην and not δεν?

Greek uses μη(ν) to negate commands/requests (prohibitions), while δεν negates statements.

• Δεν έρχεται. = He/She doesn’t come.
• Μην έρθεις. = Don’t come.

Why is it έρθεις and not έρχεσαι?

The negative imperative is formed with μην + subjunctive. Έρθεις is the aorist subjunctive (2nd sg). Έρχεσαι is present indicative and can’t be used for a prohibition in this structure. So Μην έρθεις means Don’t come (this time).

What exact form is έρθεις, and what are the main parts of the verb?

• Base verb: έρχομαι (to come)
• Aorist (past): ήρθα (I came)
• Subjunctive 2nd sg: (να) έρθεις (that you come)
• Future: θα έρθω (I will come) So Μην έρθεις = Don’t come.

Can I say Μην έρχεσαι αργά instead? What’s the difference?

Yes, but the meaning shifts:

• Μην έρθεις αργά: single, specific occasion (tonight/this time).
• Μην έρχεσαι αργά: repeated or habitual action (stop coming late in general).

Is Μην αργήσεις another natural way to say this?

Yes. Μην αργήσεις (Don’t be late) uses αργώ (to be late). Nuance:

• Μην έρθεις αργά focuses on the timing of the coming.
• Μην αργήσεις focuses on the result (arrive on time). They’re often interchangeable.

How do I address more than one person or be formal?

Use the plural/formal second person:

• Μην έρθετε αργά, σας παρακαλώ.
• Μην αργήσετε, σας παρακαλώ. Use σας instead of σε.

Where can σε παρακαλώ go, and do I need a comma?

Common placements:

• Σε παρακαλώ, μην έρθεις αργά.
• Μην έρθεις αργά, σε παρακαλώ.
• Σε παρακαλώ, μην αργήσεις. The comma is standard to set off the politeness phrase.

Is σε παρακαλώ different from παρακαλώ or σας παρακαλώ?

• Παρακαλώ alone = please (and also you’re welcome).
• Σε παρακαλώ = please (I’m asking you), more personal/pleading (singular).
• Σας παρακαλώ = plural/formal version. You can intensify with … πολύ (e.g., Σε παρακαλώ πολύ).

What does αργά mean here? Could it mean “slowly”?

Αργά can mean both “late” (time) and “slowly” (manner). With έρχομαι, context makes it “late”:

• Μην έρθεις αργά = Don’t come late.
• Κινήσου αργά = Move slowly.

How do I pronounce the tricky parts?

• Μην [min] — like “mean.”
• έρθεις [ˈerθis] — θ like th in “think”; the cluster ρθ is [rθ].
• αργά [arˈɣa] — γ is a soft throaty [ɣ] (voiced).
• σε παρακαλώ [se parakaˈlo] — stress on the last syllable of παρακαλώ.

Why is it μην here and not μη?

Both exist. In modern usage, μην is preferred before vowels (and many speakers use it almost everywhere). Since έρθεις starts with a vowel, Μην έρθεις is the expected form.

Can I use να: Να μην έρθεις αργά?

Yes. Να μην έρθεις αργά is also natural. Both versions express a prohibition/request; with να, it can sound a bit softer or like a reminder, depending on tone.

Where does αργά go in the sentence?

The neutral position is after the verb: Μην έρθεις αργά. Moving it elsewhere here is unusual; use intonation for emphasis.

What is the σε in σε παρακαλώ, and why is it before the verb?

Σε is the weak object pronoun (you, singular) of παρακαλώ. With indicative forms like παρακαλώ, weak pronouns go before the verb: σε παρακαλώ. (With positive imperatives they go after the verb, but παρακαλώ here is indicative, not imperative.)