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Αυτή δεν πεινάει, αλλά διψάει λίγο.

Αυτή δεν πεινάει, αλλά διψάει λίγο.
She is not hungry, but she is a little thirsty.
FromLesson 7inHardcore Greek
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Breakdown of Αυτή δεν πεινάει, αλλά διψάει λίγο.

λίγο
a little
δεν
not
αυτή
she
αλλά
but
πεινάω
to be hungry
διψάω
to be thirsty

Questions & Answers about Αυτή δεν πεινάει, αλλά διψάει λίγο.

Does ΑΥΤΉ mean “she” or “this (one)” here?

Both are possible in Modern Greek. Αυτή is the stressed 3rd‑person feminine singular pronoun and can mean:

  • she (subject pronoun), or
  • this (woman/one) (demonstrative), depending on context.

In natural speech it often just functions as “she,” but without context it could also be understood as “this one (fem.).”

Can I omit the subject pronoun?
Yes. Greek is a pro‑drop language. The most natural version in everyday speech is simply: Δεν πεινάει, αλλά διψάει λίγο. Including Αυτή adds emphasis/contrast: “SHE isn’t hungry (but is a bit thirsty).”
Why is the negative particle δεν used, and when do I use μην instead?
  • Use δεν to negate verbs in the indicative (normal statements/questions): Δεν πεινάει = “She isn’t hungry.”
  • Use μην with the subjunctive/imperatives (often after να/ας) and in negative commands:
    • Να μην πίνεις πολύ. “Don’t (shouldn’t) drink a lot.”
    • Μην πίνεις πολύ! “Don’t drink a lot!”
What are the dictionary forms of πεινάει and διψάει, and how are they conjugated?

Their dictionary (1st person singular) forms are doublet verbs ending in -άω/-ώ:

  • “to be hungry”: πεινάω / πεινώ
  • “to be thirsty”: διψάω / διψώ

3rd person singular (he/she/it) in the present:

  • πεινάει (also written πεινά)
  • διψάει (also written διψά)
Are the shorter spellings πεινά and διψά correct?
Yes. For many -άω verbs, the 3rd person singular has two common spellings: -άει (more explicit) and -ά (shorter). Both are standard: πεινάει/πεινά, διψάει/διψά. Pronunciation is the same.
How do I pronounce the whole sentence?
  • IPA: [afˈti ðen piˈnai, aˈla ðiˈpsai ˈliɣo]
  • Simple guide: af-TEE THEN pee-NÁE, a-LÁ thee-PSÁE LEE-gho

Notes:

  • αυ is pronounced av/af; before the voiceless τ in Αυτή, it’s af.
  • -άει is pronounced like “-ái” in English “eye.”
  • δ = the “th” in “this”; γ before ο is a soft “gh.”
Why is there a comma before αλλά?
In Greek, it’s normal to use a comma before the contrasting conjunction αλλά (“but”) to separate the two clauses: …, αλλά …. You will also see it without a comma in very short clauses, but the comma is standard and clear.
Why is it λίγο and not λίγη/λίγη? What part of speech is it?

Here λίγο is an adverb meaning “a little, slightly,” modifying the verb διψάει: διψάει λίγο = “she’s a little thirsty.”
When λίγος/λίγη/λίγο is an adjective, it modifies nouns:

  • λίγο νερό = “a little water” (neuter noun)
  • λίγη ζάχαρη = “a little sugar” (feminine noun)
Where can λίγο go in the sentence?

Most natural is after the verb: διψάει λίγο.
You can front it for emphasis: Λίγο διψάει, but that sounds marked/stylistic. You can also say Δεν διψάει πολύ (“she isn’t very thirsty”) as the opposite nuance.

Does δεν ever change to δε?
In careful writing, keep δεν. In casual speech (and sometimes writing), the final -ν may drop before some consonants, so you’ll hear δε θέλω. Before certain sounds (like π in πεινάει) the -ν is typically kept: δεν πεινάει. Safe rule: writing δεν is always correct.
Could I say this with adjectives instead of verbs, like English “hungry/thirsty”?

Yes, using participial adjectives:

  • Feminine: είναι πεινασμένη / είναι διψασμένη
  • Masculine: είναι πεινασμένος / είναι διψασμένος
    Your sentence could be: Δεν είναι πεινασμένη, αλλά είναι λίγο διψασμένη. The verb forms (πεινάει/διψάει) are more common and neutral.
How do I say “not at all hungry”?

Use καθόλου with negation: Δεν πεινάει καθόλου.
Similarly: Δεν διψάει καθόλου.

How do I turn this into a yes–no question?

Greek uses intonation and the Greek question mark (;) at the end:

  • Πεινάει, αλλά διψάει λίγο; = “Is she not hungry but a little thirsty?” (context decides the exact nuance)
    For separate questions: Πεινάει; Διψάει λίγο;
What’s the difference between αλλά, μα, and όμως?

All express contrast, but:

  • αλλά = “but” (neutral, standard)
  • μα = “but” (more colloquial/expressive or literary)
  • όμως = “however/though” (adverbial; position can vary: Όμως, … or …, όμως …)

Your sentence most naturally uses αλλά.

Can I change the word order for emphasis?

Yes. Greek word order is flexible. Some options and their feel:

  • Δεν πεινάει αυτή, αλλά διψάει λίγο. Emphasizes “it’s she who isn’t hungry.”
  • Αυτή δεν πεινάει, αλλά λίγο διψάει. Emphasizes “a little.”
    The original Αυτή δεν πεινάει, αλλά διψάει λίγο. is the most neutral with initial focus on “she.”

More from this lesson

κουρασμένοςακόμαΕίμαι κουρασμένος, αλλά δουλεύω ακόμα.Αυτή είναι κουρασμένη γιατί δουλεύει από το πρωί.πεινάωΠεινάω πολύ, θέλω να φάω τώρα.διψάωη τουαλέτα
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