Δεν εμπιστεύομαι όλους τους πολιτικούς, αλλά ακούω τι λένε στις ειδήσεις.

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Breakdown of Δεν εμπιστεύομαι όλους τους πολιτικούς, αλλά ακούω τι λένε στις ειδήσεις.

• δεν: not
• αλλά: but
• σε: on

Questions & Answers about Δεν εμπιστεύομαι όλους τους πολιτικούς, αλλά ακούω τι λένε στις ειδήσεις.

Why is δεν used here for negation, and where does it go in the sentence?

In Modern Greek, δεν is the standard negation word used with verbs in the indicative mood (normal statements and questions).

• It normally goes directly before the verb:
  • Δεν εμπιστεύομαι = I do not trust
  • Δεν ακούω = I do not listen / I do not hear

Compare:

• Δεν εμπιστεύομαι όλους τους πολιτικούς = I don’t trust all politicians.

You use δεν with tenses like present, past, future in normal statements:

• Δεν θα πάω. = I will not go.
• Δεν πήγα. = I did not go.

The other common negation word μη(ν) is used mainly with:

• the subjunctive (after να) → να μην πάω = not to go
• the imperative (commands) → μην πας = don’t go

So in this sentence, because it’s a simple statement in the present, δεν is the correct choice and it must come right before εμπιστεύομαι.

What is special about the verb εμπιστεύομαι ending in -ομαι? Is it reflexive or passive?

Εμπιστεύομαι is one of those Greek verbs that look passive/reflexive (because of -ομαι) but are actually active in meaning. These are often called "deponent" verbs.

• = I trust someone / I have confidence in someone