Learn Hardcore Greek: Μη μιλάς τόσο δυνατά στο σαλόνι, σε παρακαλώ. - Don’t speak so loudly in the living room, please.

δεν for statements (indicative):
- Δεν μιλάς δυνατά. = You don’t speak loudly.
μη(ν) for commands, wishes, prohibitions, and some other non‑indicative uses:
- Μη μιλάς δυνατά. = Don’t speak loudly.

Since this sentence is a request/command (Don’t speak so loudly…), it must use μη, not δεν.

Why is it Μη and not Μην before μιλάς?

The basic rule taught to learners is:

use μη before verbs beginning with a consonant
use μην before verbs beginning with a vowel

Here, μιλάς begins with μ, a consonant, so the “school book” form is μη μιλάς.

In everyday speech you will also hear Μην μιλάς, but in writing and in formal teaching Μη μιλάς is preferred as the standard form.

Is μιλάς an imperative? I thought it was the present tense “you speak”.

Grammatically, μιλάς is the 2nd person singular present indicative:

(εσύ) μιλάς = you speak / you are speaking.

However, when you put μη in front of this form, in everyday Greek it is very commonly used as a negative command:

Μη μιλάς. literally “Don’t you speak” → functionally Don’t speak.

So, strictly speaking the form is indicative, but in this structure (μη + 2nd person present) it functions as an informal negative imperative.

Could I say Μη μίλα τόσο δυνατά instead? What is the difference?

Yes, Μη μίλα τόσο δυνατά is possible and is heard, especially:

when addressing children
when giving a very direct, sometimes slightly harsher order

Differences in feel:

Μη μιλάς τόσο δυνατά
- more neutral and very common
- feels like “Don’t be speaking so loudly / Stop speaking so loudly.”
Μη μίλα τόσο δυνατά
- uses the true imperative (μίλα)
- can sound more abrupt or bossy, depending on tone

In many everyday situations, Μη μιλάς… is the default, slightly softer way to say it.

What is the difference between Μη μιλάς and Μη μιλήσεις?

They both translate as Don’t speak, but the aspect is different:

Μη μιλάς τόσο δυνατά. (present)
- focuses on an ongoing action
- “Don’t be speaking so loudly / Stop speaking so loudly (right now).”
Μη μιλήσεις τόσο δυνατά. (aorist)
- focuses on the whole event as a single action
- “Don’t (ever) speak that loudly / Don’t speak that loudly (when you do).”

In this context, where the person is already speaking loudly, Μη μιλάς τόσο δυνατά is more natural because it refers to the ongoing behavior.

What does τόσο add? Could I just say Μη μιλάς πολύ δυνατά?

Both are correct, but they are not identical in nuance:

τόσο δυνατά = so (that) loud(ly), that loud
- often implies comparison with a situation you both know:
  not that loud, reduce it from this level
πολύ δυνατά = very loud(ly), too loud(ly)
- focuses more on intensity in general

So:

Μη μιλάς τόσο δυνατά ≈ “Don’t speak this loud(ly).”
Μη μιλάς πολύ δυνατά ≈ “Don’t speak very/too loud(ly).”

In everyday use, both are natural; τόσο makes the “amount” feel more relative to the current situation.

Is δυνατά an adjective or an adverb here? Why does it end in -ά?

Here δυνατά is an adverb, modifying the verb μιλάς (speak).

Adjective: δυνατός (m.), δυνατή (f.), δυνατό (n.) = strong, loud
Adverb: δυνατά = loudly, strongly

Greek often forms adverbs from adjectives by using the neuter plural form in -ά, especially with adjectives in -ός:

καλός → καλά (well)
γρήγορος → γρήγορα (quickly)
δυνατός → δυνατά (loudly)

So μιλάς δυνατά = you speak loudly.

What exactly is στο in στο σαλόνι?

στο is a contraction of the preposition and article:

σε (in, at, to) + το (the, neuter singular) → στο

So:

σε + το σαλόνι → στο σαλόνι

Literally: in/at the living room.

Why is it στο σαλόνι and not στον σαλόνι?

Because σαλόνι is a neuter noun in Greek:

το σαλόνι (the living room)

The forms are:

Masculine: στον (σε + τον)
Feminine: στη(ν) (σε + τη(ν))
Neuter: στο (σε + το)

So with σαλόνι (neuter), the correct form is στο σαλόνι.

Why do we say στο σαλόνι and not just σαλόνι without the article?

In Greek, places inside the house are usually used with the definite article when you mean “in the X room” in a concrete, specific way:

στο σαλόνι = in the living room
στην κουζίνα = in the kitchen
στο μπάνιο = in the bathroom

Leaving the article out (just σαλόνι) is unusual in this meaning and would sound incomplete here. The natural way to say in the living room is στο σαλόνι.

What is the role of σε παρακαλώ here? Is it the same as English please?

Σε παρακαλώ literally means I beg you / I ask you, but in everyday use it functions very much like please.

In this sentence:

Μη μιλάς τόσο δυνατά στο σαλόνι, σε παρακαλώ.
adds a polite, softening tone to the command:
Don’t speak so loudly in the living room, please.

It can also sound slightly more emotional or pleading than a simple παρακαλώ attached to a request.

Why is there a comma before σε παρακαλώ?

The comma reflects the intonation and structure:

main request: Μη μιλάς τόσο δυνατά στο σαλόνι
added polite phrase: σε παρακαλώ

In speech, σε παρακαλώ often comes with a slight pause and different intonation, just like English “…, please.”
The comma marks this separation in writing.

Is σε παρακαλώ informal? How would I say this politely to more than one person or formally?

Yes, σε παρακαλώ is singular and informal, used to one person you address as εσύ (you, informal).

For plural or polite/formal you, use σας:

Μη μιλάτε τόσο δυνατά στο σαλόνι, σας παρακαλώ.
= Don’t speak so loudly in the living room, please. (to several people or politely to one person)

Changes:

μιλάς → μιλάτε (2nd person plural)
σε παρακαλώ → σας παρακαλώ (I ask/beg you – plural/formal)

Can I move σε παρακαλώ to the beginning of the sentence?

Yes, that is very natural too:

Σε παρακαλώ, μη μιλάς τόσο δυνατά στο σαλόνι.
Σας παρακαλώ, μη μιλάτε τόσο δυνατά στο σαλόνι.

Placing (σε/σας) παρακαλώ at the beginning often sounds slightly more formal or more emphatic in writing, but in speech all of these orders are acceptable, and the difference is mostly in rhythm and emphasis.