Προσπαθώ να λέω την αλήθεια, παρόλο που μερικές φορές φοβάμαι.

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Breakdown of Προσπαθώ να λέω την αλήθεια, παρόλο που μερικές φορές φοβάμαι.

• μερικές φορές: sometimes
• προσπαθώ: to try
• λέω: to say

Questions & Answers about Προσπαθώ να λέω την αλήθεια, παρόλο που μερικές φορές φοβάμαι.

Why do we say Προσπαθώ να λέω instead of just Προσπαθώ λέω?

In Greek, many verbs that express desire, attempt, necessity, etc. are followed by να plus another verb.

Να works as a particle that introduces a subordinate clause with the verb in the subjunctive mood (in modern terms, the “να-clause”).

So:

• Προσπαθώ να λέω = I try *to say / I try to tell*
• You cannot drop να here; Προσπαθώ λέω is wrong in standard Greek.

Common verbs that work the same way:

• θέλω να πάω – I want to go
• πρέπει να φάω – I must eat
• ελπίζω να έρθεις – I hope (that) you come

What is the difference between να λέω την αλήθεια and να πω την αλήθεια?

This is a classic aspect difference:

• λέω = imperfective aspect → focuses on habit, repetition, or ongoing action
• πώ (subjunctive of πω, from είπα) = perfective aspect → focuses on a single, complete action

So:

• Προσπαθώ να λέω την αλήθεια
  = I try to tell the truth (as a habit, generally, in my life).

• Προσπαθώ να πω την αλήθεια
  = I’m trying to tell the truth (this specific time / in this particular situation).

In your sentence, να λέω is used because it talks about a general principle or ongoing attitude: “I generally try to be truthful.”

Why is it λέω and not in this sentence?