Breakdown of Πρόσεχε όταν περνάς τον δρόμο, σε παρακαλώ.
σε παρακαλώ
please
όταν
when
προσέχω
to be careful
περνάω
to cross
Questions & Answers about Πρόσεχε όταν περνάς τον δρόμο, σε παρακαλώ.
What exactly is Πρόσεχε, and what form is it?
It’s the 2nd person singular present imperative of προσέχω. It means “be careful” or “keep paying attention.” It implies ongoing attention. Contrast it with Πρόσεξε (aorist imperative), which is more like “pay attention (right now/just once)” or “watch out!”
Why is it όταν περνάς and not something like όταν περάσεις?
- όταν περνάς uses the present to express simultaneity or a general, repeated situation: “when(ever) you are crossing.” It focuses on the action in progress.
- όταν περάσεις uses the aorist subjunctive and refers to a single future event as a whole, often with a “once/after you’ve crossed” feeling. Example: Όταν περάσεις τον δρόμο, τηλεφώνησέ μου. = “When you cross the road, call me (after you’ve crossed).” In this warning, we want you to be careful during the act, so όταν περνάς is the natural choice.
Could I say όταν θα περνάς for the future?
Colloquially you may hear όταν θα…, but standard modern Greek typically avoids θα after όταν. For a future single event, Greek prefers όταν + subjunctive (e.g., όταν περάσεις). For a general instruction or simultaneity, the present (όταν περνάς) is fine.
Why is it τον δρόμο and not just δρόμο?