Δεν είμαι πολύ κοινωνικός, αλλά προσπαθώ να μιλάω με τους συμφοιτητές μου.

I am not very sociable, but I try to talk with my fellow students.

Breakdown of Δεν είμαι πολύ κοινωνικός, αλλά προσπαθώ να μιλάω με τους συμφοιτητές μου.

• είμαι: to be
• πολύ: very
• δεν: not
• να: to

Questions & Answers about Δεν είμαι πολύ κοινωνικός, αλλά προσπαθώ να μιλάω με τους συμφοιτητές μου.

Why is there no word for “I” in the Greek sentence? Where is “εγώ”?

Greek usually drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the subject.

• είμαι = I am (1st person singular of είμαι)
• So Δεν είμαι πολύ κοινωνικός literally is Not am very sociable, but it means I’m not very sociable.
• You could add εγώ for emphasis:
  Εγώ δεν είμαι πολύ κοινωνικός = I’m not very sociable (me, as opposed to others), but it’s not required.

What does Δεν mean, and why is it used instead of μην?

Both δεν and μην are negative particles, but they’re used in different environments.

• Δεν is used with indicative verbs (normal statements):
  
  • Δεν είμαι = I am not
  • Δεν πάω = I am not going / I don’t go
• Μην is used mainly with:
  • Subjunctive (να
    • verb) in negative commands/warnings:
      Μην πας εκεί! = Don’t go there!
  • Some fixed expressions.

In Δεν είμαι πολύ κοινωνικός, we have a simple statement in the present indicative, so δεν is correct; μην would be wrong here.