Δεν θα προλάβω το τρένο σήμερα.

not

Breakdown of Δεν θα προλάβω το τρένο σήμερα.

• σήμερα: today
• θα: will
• το τρένο: the train

Questions & Answers about Δεν θα προλάβω το τρένο σήμερα.

What exactly does προλάβω mean here? Is it just “catch”?

Προλάβω (from προλαβαίνω) literally means “manage in time / get there before it is too late.”

In this sentence, Δεν θα προλάβω το τρένο σήμερα means:

• “I won’t make it in time for the train today.”
• By extension: “I won’t catch the train today.”

So προλάβω contains both ideas:

• timing (being in time)
• and the result (catching / managing something)

Why is it προλάβω and not προλαβαίνω after θα?

Modern Greek forms the simple future with θα + subjunctive (often the aorist subjunctive for a single, complete event).

• θα προλάβω = I will (manage to) be in time / I will catch (one time, complete event)
• θα προλαβαίνω = I will be managing / I will be in time (ongoing or repeated action)

In Δεν θα προλάβω το τρένο, we are talking about one specific train, one specific future event, so the aorist form προλάβω is correct and natural.

What is the relationship between προλάβω and προλαβαίνω?