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Questions & Answers about Σας πειράζει αν καθίσω δεξιά;
What does bold Σας mean here? When would I use bold σου instead?
bold Σας is the weak object pronoun “you” used for either plural you or singular polite/formal you. With a friend or someone you address informally, use bold σου: bold Σε πειράζει αν καθίσω δεξιά; With more than one person or to be polite with a stranger, bold Σας πειράζει… is appropriate.
Why is bold πειράζει in the 3rd person singular? Who is the subject?
Greek uses bold πειράζει impersonal‑like: “does it bother.” There’s no explicit subject; it’s like English “Does it bother you if…?” Literally, “Does it bother you if I sit to the right?”—hence 3rd singular.
Is bold Σας ενοχλεί αν… the same as bold Σας πειράζει αν…?
Both ask “Do you mind if…,” but the nuance differs: bold πειράζει is milder (“Is it okay if…?”), while bold ενοχλεί can sound a bit stronger (“Does it annoy you if…?”). Both are polite; bold πειράζει is the softest, most common choice.
Why is it bold αν καθίσω and not bold αν κάθομαι?
Aspect. bold καθίσω is perfective (a single act of sitting down), which fits a one‑off request. bold κάθομαι is imperfective (“be sitting”/habitual). bold αν κάθομαι δεξιά would mean “if I am sitting on the right,” not the intended “if I sit down (there).”
What’s the difference between bold καθίσω and bold κάτσω?
They’re both perfective forms meaning “sit down.” bold καθίσω is a bit more formal/standard; bold κάτσω is very common in everyday speech. You can say bold Σας πειράζει αν κάτσω δεξιά; just as naturally.
Could I say bold Σας πειράζει να καθίσω δεξιά; instead of bold αν καθίσω?
Yes. bold Σας πειράζει αν καθίσω… and bold Σας πειράζει να καθίσω… are both idiomatic with no real difference in politeness or meaning here.
What about bold αν vs bold εάν — are both correct?
Yes. bold εάν is the more formal/spelled‑out version of bold αν. In speech and most writing you’d use bold αν: bold Σας πειράζει αν καθίσω δεξιά;
Why does the sentence end with what looks like a semicolon?
In Greek the semicolon character (;) is the question mark. So bold …δεξιά; is simply a normal question.
Can I place the pronoun after the verb, like bold Πειράζει σας αν…?
No. Weak object pronouns (μου, σου, του/της, μας, σας, τους) normally come before the finite verb: bold Σας πειράζει… is correct. You could use the strong/emphatic form for contrast, bold Πειράζει εσάς αν… (emphatic), but the polite formula is bold Σας πειράζει… You can also omit the pronoun: bold Πειράζει να καθίσω δεξιά;
Is bold δεξιά an adjective here? Why is there no article?
Here bold δεξιά functions as an adverb meaning “to/on the right,” so no article is needed. If you make it a noun phrase, you add an article/preposition:
- bold στα δεξιά = “on the right(-hand side)”
- bold στη δεξιά πλευρά/μεριά = “on the right side”
- bold στο δεξί κάθισμα = “in the right seat”
What’s the difference between bold δεξιά, bold στα δεξιά, and bold δεξιά σας/μου?
- bold δεξιά: adverb; neutral “to/on the right” in context (e.g., of the aisle/row).
- bold στα δεξιά: “on the right side (of something),” a bit more explicit/anchored.
- bold δεξιά σας/μου: “to your/my right,” relative to a person’s orientation.
Can I say bold αν θα καθίσω here?
No. After bold αν in this sense, use the bare dependent form: bold αν καθίσω/αν κάτσω, not bold αν θα καθίσω. The sequence bold αν θα is fine in indirect “whether” clauses (e.g., bold Δεν ξέρω αν θα καθίσω), but not in this “Do you mind if I…” pattern.
Are there even more polite or softer ways to ask this?
Yes. Common options:
- bold Θα σας πείραζε αν καθόμουν/αν καθίσω δεξιά; (conditional; very polite)
- bold Μήπως να καθίσω/να κάτσω δεξιά; (μήπως softens)
- bold Θα μπορούσα να καθίσω δεξιά; / Μπορώ να κάτσω δεξιά; (asking permission)
How do I pronounce each word?
Approximate guide (stress in caps):
- bold Σας: sas
- bold πειράζει: pee-RAH-zee (ρ tapped; ζ = z)
- bold αν: an
- bold καθίσω: ka-THEE-so (θ = unvoiced th as in “think”)
- bold δεξιά: thek-see-AH (δ = voiced th as in “this”; ξ = ks) Keep the stress where the accent mark is: πειΡΆζει, καθΊσω, δεξιΆ.
Is this sentence appropriate with friends, or is it too formal?
It’s politely neutral. With friends, switch to informal and/or shorter forms:
- bold Σε πειράζει αν κάτσω δεξιά;
- bold Να κάτσω δεξιά; / Μπορώ να κάτσω δεξιά;
Do I need a comma before bold αν in Greek?
No. You don’t place a comma before bold αν in a clause like this. The standard pattern is simply bold …πειράζει αν… without a comma.
Could I drop the verb and ask elliptically, like “Right side okay?”
Greek usually keeps a verb in polite requests. For something short yet natural, use:
- bold Δεξιά να κάτσω;
- bold Δεξιά γίνεται; (colloquial: “Right side, is that possible?”)