Learn Hardcore Greek: Η δασκάλα προτείνει να διαβάσουμε λιγότερο σήμερα. - The teacher female suggests that we read less today.

It introduces a subordinate clause in the subjunctive after a verb of suggestion (προτείνω). It signals that the action is desired/possible, not a simple statement of fact. It often corresponds to English ideas like “that we (should) …” but να itself is not translated.

After να, you use a subjunctive form of the verb.
Negation in a να-clause uses μη(ν), not δεν.

Why is it διαβάσουμε and not διαβάζουμε after να?

Aspect.

να διαβάσουμε is the perfective (aorist) subjunctive: a single, bounded action (“read less” as a one-off for today).
να διαβάζουμε is the imperfective (present) subjunctive: ongoing/habitual action (“be reading less” over time). With σήμερα, the perfective makes the natural “for today” suggestion.

What person/number is διαβάσουμε, and where is “we”?

διαβάσουμε is 1st person plural (“we”). Greek is a pro‑drop language, so the subject pronoun (εμείς) is usually omitted unless you want to emphasize it.

Can I use ότι instead of να after προτείνει?

No. With προτείνω (to suggest/propose), Greek takes να + subjunctive for a verbal complement: προτείνει να διαβάσουμε….

If you want a noun phrase instead: προτείνει διάλειμμα (suggests a break).
προτείνει ότι… is not idiomatic in this meaning.

What tense/mood is προτείνει, and how would I say it in the past?

προτείνει = present, 3rd singular (“she suggests”). For the past, use πρότεινε (“she suggested”):
Η δασκάλα πρότεινε να διαβάσουμε λιγότερο σήμερα.
Note: after να, the verb stays in the subjunctive (no past tense there); only aspect (perfective vs imperfective) changes.

Is διαβάζω “to read” or “to study”?

Both. In everyday Greek, διαβάζω can mean reading a text or studying for school/exams. If you want “study in depth,” μελετώ/μελετάω is also used, but διαβάζω is the default in school contexts.

Could I say μελετήσουμε instead of διαβάσουμε?

You can: να μελετήσουμε is fine and sounds a bit more formal/bookish (“study”). διαβάσουμε is more neutral/colloquial and perfectly natural in a classroom context.

Why is λιγότερο in the neuter? Should it agree with something?

Here λιγότερο is an adverb modifying the verb (“read less”), so it’s invariable. As an adjective, λιγότερος/λιγότερη/λιγότερο agrees with a noun:

λιγότερα βιβλία (fewer books)
But with a verb: διαβάζω λιγότερο (I read less)

Can I say πιο λίγο instead of λιγότερο?

Yes. πιο λίγο is very common and colloquial; λιγότερο is the standard comparative form. Both are fine:
να διαβάσουμε πιο λίγο σήμερα ≈ να διαβάσουμε λιγότερο σήμερα.

Where can I put σήμερα?

Greek word order is flexible. All of these are natural, with small differences in emphasis:

Σήμερα, η δασκάλα προτείνει να διαβάσουμε λιγότερο.
Η δασκάλα σήμερα προτείνει να διαβάσουμε λιγότερο.
Η δασκάλα προτείνει σήμερα να διαβάσουμε λιγότερο.
Η δασκάλα προτείνει να διαβάσουμε λιγότερο σήμερα.

Do I need a comma before να?

No. You typically do not put a comma before να. If you front Σήμερα for emphasis, you may put a comma after it: Σήμερα, …

Why is there an article Η before δασκάλα? Can I drop it?

Greek normally uses the definite article with specific people: Η δασκάλα (the teacher in question). Dropping it in subject position sounds odd. For an indefinite subject: Μια δασκάλα προτείνει…
Note: after “to be,” professions usually take no article: Είναι δασκάλα.

Is δασκάλα specifically feminine? What’s the masculine?

Yes. η δασκάλα is feminine; the masculine is ο δάσκαλος. The article must match the gender and number.

How do I pronounce the tricky bits?

Η δασκάλα: ee thas-KA-la (δ = voiced “th” as in “this”); stress on -σκά-.
προτείνει: pro-TEE-nee (ει = “ee”); stress on -τεί-.
διαβάσουμε: thya-VA-soo-me (δια = “ðya”); stress on -βά-.
λιγότερο: lee-GHÓ-te-ro (γ = soft “gh”); stress on -γό-.
σήμερα: SEE-me-ra; stress on -σή-.
Always stress the syllable with the accent mark.

Could I use ας for a “let’s …” suggestion?

Yes, for a direct hortative: Ας διαβάσουμε λιγότερο σήμερα.
But when reporting someone’s suggestion, keep προτείνει να …

How would I make a negative suggestion (e.g., “not read much”)?

Use μη(ν) in the να-clause:

Η δασκάλα προτείνει να μη(ν) διαβάσουμε πολύ σήμερα.
You can intensify: … να μη(ν) διαβάσουμε καθόλου σήμερα (“… not at all today”).

Is να διαβάσουμε a future?

No. να + subjunctive doesn’t mark tense; it marks mood. It often refers to a prospective/desired action relative to the main verb. For a plain future you’d use θα διαβάσουμε, but after προτείνω you need να.