Breakdown of Η δασκάλα με συμβουλεύει να μιλάω πιο συχνά, ακόμα κι αν κάνω λάθη.
μιλάω
to speak
να
to
πιο
more
με
me
Questions & Answers about Η δασκάλα με συμβουλεύει να μιλάω πιο συχνά, ακόμα κι αν κάνω λάθη.
What is the role of με in this sentence, and why does it come before συμβουλεύει?
με is the unstressed object pronoun meaning “me” (direct object).
- Η δασκάλα με συμβουλεύει = The teacher advises me.
- Η δασκάλα = the teacher (subject)
- με = me (object)
- συμβουλεύει = advises
In Greek, these unstressed pronouns usually go before the verb in simple sentences:
- με συμβουλεύει = she advises me
- τον βλέπω = I see him
- τη ρωτάμε = we ask her
They can go after the verb in some cases (imperatives, some questions, etc.), but in a normal declarative sentence like this, the correct position is before the verb.
Why is there no word for “she” (like αυτή) before δασκάλα or συμβουλεύει?
Greek usually omits subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the person:
- συμβουλεύει is 3rd person singular: he/she/it advises.
- The subject Η δασκάλα (“the teacher”) tells us who is doing the action, so αυτή (“she”) is not necessary.
You can say Αυτή η δασκάλα με συμβουλεύει, but that emphasizes “this teacher” specifically, often in contrast to others. In most neutral sentences, Greek will not use a separate “she” when there is already a clear noun subject.
What exactly does συμβουλεύει mean, and how is it used?