Learn Hardcore Greek: Μην μπαίνεις τώρα, βγαίνει η γειτόνισσα. - Don’t come in now, the female neighbor is coming out.

δεν is used to negate statements in the indicative: Δεν μπαίνω = I’m not coming in.
μη(ν) is used for prohibitions/commands and with the subjunctive: Μην μπαίνεις = Don’t come in.

So a negative command must use μη(ν), not δεν. Also, όχι means “no” (as an answer) or negates a noun phrase: Όχι τώρα = Not now.

Why Μην μπαίνεις (present) and not Μην μπεις (aorist)? What’s the difference?

It’s an aspect choice:

Μην μπαίνεις (present aspect) blocks an action in progress or a general/ongoing habit: “Don’t be entering (now)” / “Don’t (ever) come in (at such times).”
Μην μπεις (aorist aspect) blocks a single, one‑off entry: “Don’t enter (this time).”

In your context, both are possible. If someone is just about to step through the door, Greeks often say either; Μην μπεις τώρα is a bit more “this once,” while Μην μπαίνεις τώρα can feel like “hold on, not right now.”

Is it μη or μην? Why do I see both?

Both exist. The standard rule is: use μην before vowels and certain consonant clusters (e.g., κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ, μπ, ντ, γκ, τσ, τζ). In practice, many speakers say μην almost everywhere. Here, Μην μπαίνεις is standard because μπ- follows. You’ll also see Μην μπεις for the same reason.

What forms are μπαίνεις and βγαίνει exactly?

μπαίνεις: 2nd person singular, non-past (present) of μπαίνω (you enter/are entering).
βγαίνει: 3rd person singular, non-past (present) of βγαίνω (he/she/it goes/comes out).

Greek drops subject pronouns when obvious, so the “you” in Μην μπαίνεις is understood.

Why is there a comma between the two clauses?

Greek is comfortable joining two main clauses with a comma to mark a pause or a loose connection: Μην μπαίνεις τώρα, βγαίνει η γειτόνισσα. In English you might use a semicolon or a dash: “Don’t come in now; the neighbor is coming out.”

Can I say Η γειτόνισσα βγαίνει instead of Βγαίνει η γειτόνισσα? Does word order matter?

Both are fine. Greek word order is flexible:

Βγαίνει η γειτόνισσα can highlight the action/new development (“It’s (now) that the neighbor is coming out”).
Η γειτόνισσα βγαίνει is more neutral, with the subject first.

Context and emphasis determine the choice.

Why do we need the article η in η γειτόνισσα?

Greek typically uses the definite article with specific people: η γειτόνισσα = “the neighbor (woman).” Omitting it here would sound odd. If you wanted “a neighbor,” you’d say μια γειτόνισσα.

What’s the gender and counterpart of γειτόνισσα?

η γειτόνισσα = the (female) neighbor.
Masculine: ο γείτονας = the (male) neighbor.
Plurals: οι γείτονες (mixed/masculine), οι γειτόνισσες (female).

How are μπαίνω and βγαίνω related in meaning?

They’re opposites:

μπαίνω = to go/come in, enter.
βγαίνω = to go/come out, exit.

You’ll often see them with adverbs for clarity/emphasis:

μπαίνω μέσα (go in), βγαίνω έξω (go out).

Should I translate βγαίνει as “goes out” or “comes out”?

Greek βγαίνω is neutral with respect to speaker perspective; English chooses “go” vs “come.” In your sentence, English “is coming out” fits because the action meets the person at the door.

Can τώρα move around in the sentence?

Yes:

Μην μπαίνεις τώρα (neutral).
Τώρα μην μπαίνεις (emphasizes “now”).
You can also shift it to the second clause: Μην μπαίνεις, τώρα βγαίνει η γειτόνισσα.

How do I pronounce the tricky bits?

μπαίνεις ≈ “BEH-nees.” Notes: μπ at word start = b; αι = e (as in “bet”); ει = i.
βγαίνει ≈ “v-YE-nee.” Notes: βγ is like v + a soft g/y sound; αι = e; ει = i.
γειτόνισσα ≈ “yee-TOH-nee-ssa.” Notes: γει = yi; double σσ is a strong s.

Could I say “Don’t come in yet” instead?

Yes: Μην μπεις ακόμα / Μην μπαίνεις ακόμα. Use aorist (μην μπεις) for a one-off “not yet (this time),” present (μην μπαίνεις) for ongoing “don’t be entering yet.”

Is there any difference if I add γιατί to make the relation explicit?

You can: Μην μπαίνεις τώρα, γιατί βγαίνει η γειτόνισσα. That’s “Don’t come in now, because the neighbor is coming out.” The original relies on context and a natural pause; adding γιατί makes the causal link explicit.

What are the key aorist forms related to these verbs for future use?

μπαίνω (present) → aorist: μπήκα; aorist subjunctive: μπω/μπεις/μπει…
- e.g., Μην μπεις! (Don’t enter!)
βγαίνω (present) → aorist: βγήκα; aorist subjunctive: βγω/βγεις/βγει…
- e.g., Θα βγει (She will go out), να βγει (for her to go out).