Ντρέπομαι λίγο να μιλήσω ελληνικά μπροστά σε όποιον δεν ξέρω.

to speak

Breakdown of Ντρέπομαι λίγο να μιλήσω ελληνικά μπροστά σε όποιον δεν ξέρω.

• ελληνικά: in Greek
• λίγο: a little
• δεν: not

Questions & Answers about Ντρέπομαι λίγο να μιλήσω ελληνικά μπροστά σε όποιον δεν ξέρω.

Why does ντρέπομαι end in -μαι? Is it reflexive?

Ντρέπομαι is a so‑called middle/passive verb in Modern Greek. Verbs that describe emotions, feelings, or states (like to be ashamed, to be afraid, to remember) often appear in this form.

• ντρέπομαι = I am ashamed / I feel embarrassed
• There is no separate object like in English I shame myself; the -μαι form already includes the idea of “myself”.
• Active forms like ντροπιάζω = I shame/embarrass (someone else).

So ντρέπομαι is not “I shame myself” literally; it’s just the normal way to say I’m embarrassed.

Is ντρέπομαι here present tense? How would I say it in the past?

Yes, ντρέπομαι is present tense: I am embarrassed / I feel shy (right now, generally).

Basic forms:

• Present: ντρέπομαι – I’m embarrassed
• Imperfect (continuous past): ντρεπόμουν(α) – I used to be / was embarrassed
• Aorist (simple past): ντράπηκα – I got embarrassed (at some point)
• Future: θα ντραπώ – I will be embarrassed / I’ll get embarrassed

In a similar sentence in the past, you might say:
Ντράπηκα λίγο να μιλήσω ελληνικά μπροστά σε όποιον δεν ήξερα.
= I was a bit embarrassed to speak Greek in front of anyone I didn’t know.

Why is there no εγώ in the sentence? How do I know it means “I”?