Learn Hardcore Greek: Αν αργήσεις λίγο, δεν πειράζει. - If you are a little late, it doesn’t matter.

In Greek, the protasis (the “if”-clause) typically uses a subjunctive form, not a future. The subjunctive marks the event as hypothetical/possible. So:

Correct: Αν αργήσεις, ...
Not used for conditionals: Αν θα αργήσεις, ... (see the next question for the “αν θα” exception in indirect questions)

So is αν αργείς ever correct?

Yes, but it changes the meaning. Greek contrasts aspect:

Αν αργήσεις (aorist subjunctive): one-off/future event — “If you happen to be late (this time)”
Αν αργείς (present): habitual/ongoing — “If you are (generally) late” or “If you tend to be late”

Can I say αν θα αργήσεις?

Not for conditional “if.” For conditionals, use the subjunctive form: αν αργήσεις. However, αν θα is fine when αν means “whether” in an indirect question:

Δεν ξέρω αν θα αργήσεις. = “I don’t know whether you’ll be late.”

What’s the difference between αν, εάν, and άμα?

αν: the default “if,” neutral and very common.
εάν: more formal/literary; interchangeable with αν in meaning.
άμα: colloquial, very common in speech. Your sentence could be: Άμα αργήσεις λίγο, δεν πειράζει.

What does δεν πειράζει literally mean, and how does it work grammatically?

Literally “it doesn’t affect/bother” (from πειράζω = to bother/affect/tease). It’s an impersonal 3rd-person singular: “it doesn’t matter.” As a standalone phrase, Δεν πειράζει! = “No problem!” / “It’s okay!”

Why not μην πειράζει?

Because μην negates subjunctive/imperative environments (with να, ας, imperatives). Here we have a plain indicative statement (πειράζει), so the correct negator is δεν. You’d use μη(ν) in something like να μη(ν) πειράζει.

Can I change the word order or drop the comma?

Word order: Δεν πειράζει αν αργήσεις λίγο is equally natural.
Comma: When the “if”-clause comes first, Greek normally uses a comma: Αν αργήσεις λίγο, δεν πειράζει. If you flip the order, you usually don’t need a comma.

What does λίγο modify here, and can it move?

λίγο is an adverb meaning “a little / slightly” and modifies the verb αργήσεις: “be a little late.”

Most natural: Αν αργήσεις λίγο...
Αν λίγο αργήσεις... sounds marked/poetic; avoid in everyday speech.
Don’t confuse with για λίγο (“for a short while”), which doesn’t fit well with αργώ in this meaning.

Pronunciation tips?

Αν [an]
αργήσεις [arˈʝisis] – the gamma before η/ι/ε sounds like a soft “y” ([ʝ]); the stress is on -γή-.
λίγο [ˈliɣo] – gamma here is the voiced fricative [ɣ].
δεν [ðen] – δ is like “th” in “this.”
πειράζει [piˈrazi] – stress on -ρά-.

Is there a polite/plural form?

Yes, use 2nd person plural for polite address or for multiple people:

Αν αργήσετε λίγο, δεν πειράζει.

Are there synonyms for αργήσω/αργήσεις?

Yes:

καθυστερήσω/καθυστερήσεις (from καθυστερώ) is a bit more formal: Αν καθυστερήσεις λίγο, δεν πειράζει.
You can also say Αν έρθεις λίγο αργά, δεν πειράζει (“If you come a bit late”).

Other ways to say Δεν πειράζει?

Common alternatives:

Δεν υπάρχει πρόβλημα.
Κανένα πρόβλημα.
Όλα καλά.
Μην αγχώνεσαι. (colloquial: “don’t stress”)

Is there a nuance difference between Δεν πειράζει and Δε με πειράζει?

Δεν πειράζει: impersonal, general “It’s fine/No problem.”
Δε(ν) με πειράζει: “It doesn’t bother me,” explicitly referencing the speaker. Both are okay; the impersonal one is the set phrase people use most.

Why is it δεν (with final -ν) before πειράζει?

Standard spelling keeps the final -ν of δεν before vowels and certain consonants, including π. So δεν πειράζει is the standard form. In fast speech you may hear δε πειράζει, but it’s less standard here.

Could I use όταν instead of αν?

Different meaning:

αν = “if” (conditional/hypothetical): Αν αργήσεις λίγο, δεν πειράζει.
όταν = “when” (time reference): Όταν αργείς, αγχώνομαι. (“When you’re late, I get stressed.”) Here, όταν would imply a time relation, not a conditional permission.