Breakdown of Μπορείτε να κλείσετε το παράθυρο, παρακαλώ;
παρακαλώ
please
μπορώ
to be able
να
to
κλείνω
to close
Questions & Answers about Μπορείτε να κλείσετε το παράθυρο, παρακαλώ;
Why is there a semicolon (;) at the end instead of a question mark?
In Greek, the symbol that looks like a semicolon (;) is actually the question mark. The raised dot (·) is the Greek semicolon/colon. So ; here signals a question, not a pause.
Why are the verbs in the second-person plural (Μπορείτε, κλείσετε) if I’m asking one person?
Greek uses second-person plural as a polite/formal “you,” much like French vous or German Sie. It’s also the true plural for addressing more than one person. For a single friend (informal), you’d say: Μπορείς να κλείσεις το παράθυρο, παρακαλώ;
What does να do here, and what form is κλείσετε?
να introduces the subjunctive. κλείσετε is the perfective (aorist) subjunctive, 2nd person plural. It presents the action as a single, complete event—perfect for a one-off request like closing a window.
Could I say να κλείνετε instead of να κλείσετε?
That would be the present (imperfective) subjunctive and implies an ongoing/repeated action (“to be closing/keep closing”). It’s odd for a one-time request. For a single close, use να κλείσετε.
Is “Μπορείτε να…” really asking about ability, or is it just a polite request?