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Questions & Answers about Κάνε το άλλη μία φορά, παρακαλώ.
Is the verb form Κάνε singular or plural? What’s the polite version?
Κάνε is 2nd person singular imperative (to one person you’re on familiar terms with). For plural or polite address, use Κάντε: Κάντε το άλλη μία φορά, παρακαλώ.
Why is the pronoun after the verb in Κάνε το? Can I say Το κάνε?
In affirmative imperatives, object pronouns are enclitic and must come after the verb: Κάνε το / Κάν' το. Το κάνε is ungrammatical in standard Greek. In negative commands the pronoun goes before: Μην το κάνεις.
Is Κάν' το with an apostrophe correct? When do we drop the final -ε?
Yes. It’s common to elide the final -ε of the 2sg imperative before a clitic pronoun: Κάν' το, Δώσ' μου, Πάρ' το. The apostrophe marks that elision. The full form (Κάνε το) is also correct.
What does άλλη μία φορά add, and can I replace it with ξανά or πάλι?
- άλλη μία φορά literally emphasizes “one more time (once).”
- ξανά is neutral “again”: Κάν' το ξανά, παρακαλώ.
- πάλι also means “again” but can sound more colloquial and sometimes imply mild annoyance depending on tone: Κάν' το πάλι, σε παρακαλώ. You can also use the prefix: Ξανακάν' το, παρακαλώ.
Why is it άλλη (feminine)? What is it agreeing with?
Άλλη agrees with φορά (“time”), which is feminine singular accusative. Hence άλλη μία φορά. With masculine or neuter nouns you’d use άλλος or άλλο.
Do I need μία? What about just άλλη φορά?
Άλλη μία φορά means “one more time (once again).” Άλλη φορά usually means “another time/on a different occasion,” often implying “not now.” Keep μία/μια to convey “one more time.”
Should I write μία or μια here? Is there a difference?
Both are correct. Μια is the common one‑syllable form; μία is two‑syllable and can emphasize the number “one.” Either works: άλλη μια φορά (very common) or άλλη μία φορά (a bit more emphatic). Pronunciation note: μια is [mʲa], μία is [ˈmi.a].
What about παρακαλώ? Can it go at the start? What does σε παρακαλώ add?
Παρακαλώ means “please” here. It can go at the end or the beginning: Παρακαλώ, κάν' το άλλη μια φορά. Σε παρακαλώ (“please, I beg you”) directly addresses the listener and sounds more pleading; for polite/plural use Σας παρακαλώ. In other contexts παρακαλώ also means “you’re welcome.”
If “it” is feminine or masculine, does το change?
Yes, it matches the noun’s gender:
- Feminine: Κάν' την άλλη μια φορά (e.g., “Do the exercise again” = την άσκηση).
- Masculine: Κάν' τον άλλη μια φορά (e.g., “Do the turn again” = τον γύρο).
- Neuter: Κάν' το άλλη μια φορά (e.g., το τεστ). In speech, the final -ν of τον/την may drop before some consonants.
How do I say “Don’t do it again”?
Use μη(ν) + subjunctive, with the pronoun before the verb: Μην το ξανακάνεις or Μην το κάνεις άλλη φορά.
Which imperative is this—present or aorist? Does aspect matter here?
For κάνω, the 2sg present and aorist imperatives are both κάνε, so the form doesn’t show the difference. The context άλλη (μια) φορά implies a single, one‑off action (aoristic meaning). In 2pl you see the contrast: Κάντε το (aorist, do it once) vs Κάνετε το (present, keep doing it). In practice here people use Κάντε το.
Is the comma before παρακαλώ required?
It’s recommended to set off παρακαλώ as a parenthetical “please,” but you’ll see both Κάν' το άλλη μια φορά, παρακαλώ. and Κάν' το άλλη μια φορά παρακαλώ.
Can I drop το if the object is obvious?
Generally no. Greek favors keeping the clitic with imperatives: Κάν' το sounds natural. Bare Κάνε usually needs an explicit object: Κάνε την άσκηση.
How do I pronounce the whole sentence?
Approximate IPA: [ˈkane to ˈali ˈmi.a foˈra, parakaˈlo]. Simple romanization with stressed syllables in caps: KA-ne to Á-li MÍ-a fo-RÁ, para-ka-LO. In everyday speech many say άλλη μια as one syllable [mʲa].