Learn Hardcore Greek: Δεν πειράζει, θα σε πάρω αργότερα. - It doesn’t matter, I will call you later.

Literally, it’s “it doesn’t affect/it doesn’t matter,” and idiomatically it means “no problem,” “never mind,” or “that’s okay.” It comes from the verb πειράζω (to affect, to bother, to tease). In this sentence it’s an impersonal fixed phrase you can say to reassure someone after a small mishap or when you want to downplay an issue. Variants: Δεν πειράζει καθόλου (not at all), Κανένα πρόβλημα (no problem).

Why is it δεν and not μην?

Greek has two main negative particles:

δεν negates statements in the indicative (facts, statements): Δεν πειράζει.
μη(ν) is used with the subjunctive, prohibitions, and wishes: Μην ανησυχείς (don’t worry), να μην πάρω (so that I don’t take). Here, πειράζει is a present indicative form, so δεν is correct.

Why is it θα σε πάρω and not θα σε παίρνω?

Greek future distinguishes aspect:

Θα σε πάρω uses the aorist stem πάρω for a single, complete future action: “I’ll call/pick you up (once).”
Θα σε παίρνω (imperfective) means “I’ll be calling you / I’ll call you regularly.” So θα σε πάρω is the normal choice for one-off future actions.

Does θα σε πάρω mean “I’ll call you” or “I’ll pick you up”?

Both are possible. Colloquially, παίρνω (τηλέφωνο) often drops τηλέφωνο, so θα σε πάρω commonly means “I’ll call you.” It can also mean “I’ll pick you up,” especially in contexts about meeting or transport. To disambiguate:

Call: Θα σε πάρω τηλέφωνο, or Θα σου τηλεφωνήσω.
Pick up: Θα περάσω να σε πάρω, Θα σε πάρω από το σπίτι, Θα σε πάρω με το αυτοκίνητο.

Where does the pronoun σε go? Can I say θα πάρω σε?

The weak object pronoun normally appears before the finite verb: θα σε πάρω (not θα πάρω σε). With imperatives, it attaches after a positive command but before a negative command:

Positive: Πάρε με αργότερα (call me later).
Negative: Μην με πάρεις αργότερα.

What’s the difference between σε, σου, and σας here?

σε = direct object “you” (singular). Θα σε πάρω (I’ll call you).
σας = “you” plural or polite. Θα σας πάρω (I’ll call you, plural/polite).
σου = indirect object “to you/for you.” With παίρνω, Θα σου πάρω κάτι means “I’ll buy/get you something.” Do not use σου to mean “call you”; say Θα σε πάρω (τηλέφωνο) or Θα σου τηλεφωνήσω.

Why is the verb form πάρω and not the present παίρνω after θα?

Modern Greek forms the simple future with θα + the aorist subjunctive form for a single, bounded event. For παίρνω, the aorist stem is πάρω (past simple: πήρα). Thus θα πάρω/θα σε πάρω. The continuous future uses the present stem: θα παίρνω/θα σε παίρνω (repeated or ongoing future action).

How is the sentence pronounced and where is the stress?

Δεν πειράζει: den pee-RA-zee (stress on -ρά-).
θα σε πάρω: tha se PA-ro (stress on -πά-).
αργότερα: ar-GO-te-ra (stress on -γό-; the γ is a voiced fricative, like a softer g). In connected speech, δεν keeps its final -ν here because the next word starts with π.

Is the comma after Δεν πειράζει necessary?

Yes, it’s standard to separate the reassuring interjection Δεν πειράζει from the next clause with a comma: Δεν πειράζει, θα σε πάρω αργότερα. It marks a natural pause between the two parts.

Can I replace αργότερα with μετά, πιο αργά, or ύστερα?

αργότερα = later (unspecified time later).
πιο αργά = later today/at a later hour (focus on time of day).
μετά = after(wards), often relative to some reference point/event.
ύστερα = afterwards/then (a bit more colloquial/regional). All can work depending on nuance: Θα σε πάρω πιο αργά (later today), Θα σε πάρω μετά (after that).

How would I say “I’ll call you back later”?

Θα σε ξαναπάρω αργότερα (I’ll call you again later) is the most idiomatic.
Θα σε πάρω πίσω αργότερα is widely used in everyday speech (a calque of “call back,” acceptable in modern usage).

Is Δεν με πειράζει the same as Δεν πειράζει?

Not exactly. Δεν πειράζει is impersonal and means “it’s okay/never mind” (reassuring the other person). Δεν με πειράζει means “it doesn’t bother me/I don’t mind,” explicitly referring to the speaker’s feelings. In many contexts both are friendly and acceptable, but the nuance differs.

Are there more formal or alternative ways to say this?

Yes:

Reassurance: Δεν υπάρχει πρόβλημα, Μην ανησυχείτε (polite).
Call later: Θα σας πάρω αργότερα (polite/plural), Θα σου τηλεφωνήσω αργότερα, Θα επικοινωνήσω μαζί σου/σας αργότερα.

Can you break down the grammar of the sentence?

Δεν: negation particle for indicative.
πειράζει: 3rd person singular present of πειράζω (impersonal here).
,: comma separating the interjection from the main clause.
θα: future particle.
σε: weak object pronoun, 2nd person singular accusative.
πάρω: aorist subjunctive 1st person singular of παίρνω, used for simple future.
αργότερα: adverb meaning later.

Is there any risk of ambiguity or misunderstanding in everyday use?

Only the θα σε πάρω part can be ambiguous between “call you” and “pick you up.” Context usually resolves it. If clarity is important, add a clarifier: τηλέφωνο for calling; από το σπίτι/στον δρόμο/με το αυτοκίνητο or θα περάσω να σε πάρω for picking up.