Πρέπει να πάρω μια σημαντική απόφαση για το μέλλον μου.

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Breakdown of Πρέπει να πάρω μια σημαντική απόφαση για το μέλλον μου.

• μου: my
• πρέπει: to have to
• σημαντικός: important

Questions & Answers about Πρέπει να πάρω μια σημαντική απόφαση για το μέλλον μου.

What does πρέπει mean here, and is it always translated as "must"?

Πρέπει literally means "it is necessary" or "one must".

In context, it often corresponds to English:

• must
• have to
• need to

In this sentence, Πρέπει να πάρω... = "I must / I have to / I need to make..."

Usage notes:

• πρέπει is impersonal (it doesn’t change for person: I/you/he = all πρέπει).
• The subject is understood from the verb that follows (πάρω = 1st person singular, so it’s "I must").

Why do we say πρέπει να πάρω and not πρέπει παίρνω?

After πρέπει, modern Greek normally uses να + subjunctive form of the verb, not the simple present:

• πρέπει να πάρω (correct)
• πρέπει παίρνω (incorrect)

να πάρω is the subjunctive of παίρνω and is used to talk about:

• something not yet done
• an obligation, intention, plan, or decision

So:

• παίρνω = I take / I am taking (present, ongoing or habitual)
• να πάρω = (that) I take / I should take / I will take (subjunctive, non-completed future or desired action)

With πρέπει, always think: πρέπει + να + subjunctive.

What is the difference between παίρνω and πάρω?