Questions & Answers about Αποφασίζω να φύγω νωρίς το απόγευμα.
Why is να used here? Is it like English “to”?
Greek doesn’t have an infinitive form like English “to leave.” Instead, it uses να plus the verb in the subjunctive. After verbs of intention/decision/desire (like αποφασίζω, θέλω, πρέπει), you introduce the action with να: αποφασίζω να φύγω = “I decide to leave.”
Why is it να φύγω and not να φεύγω?
Greek distinguishes aspect in the subjunctive:
- να φύγω (perfective) = one complete act of leaving (appropriate here).
- να φεύγω (imperfective) = ongoing/habitual leaving.
So αποφασίζω να φύγω means you’re deciding on a single departure (e.g., today). You’d use να φεύγω for habits: Αποφασίζω να φεύγω νωρίς κάθε μέρα = “I decide to start leaving early every day.”
Do I need to say εγώ for “I”?
No. Greek is a pro‑drop language; the verb ending -ω in αποφασίζω already marks first person singular. Use εγώ only for emphasis or contrast: Εγώ αποφασίζω να φύγω... (“I am the one deciding to leave...”).
Is the present αποφασίζω the best choice? What about past or future?