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Questions & Answers about Αν αργήσεις λίγο, δεν πειράζει.
What verb form is αργήσεις, exactly?
It’s the 2nd person singular aorist subjunctive of αργώ (to be late). Principal parts:
- Present: αργώ
- Aorist (simple past): άργησα
- Subjunctive aorist 2sg: (να) αργήσεις
Here it appears after αν, which normally calls for a subjunctive-type form in Greek.
Why is the subjunctive used after αν?
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.
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