Breakdown of Μην είσαι τόσο βιαστικός· εφόσον έχεις χρόνο, διάβασε προσεκτικά την απόδειξη.
είμαι
to be
έχω
to have
μην
not
διαβάζω
to read
Questions & Answers about Μην είσαι τόσο βιαστικός· εφόσον έχεις χρόνο, διάβασε προσεκτικά την απόδειξη.
Why does the sentence start with Μην είσαι…? How does Greek form a negative command like “Don’t be…”?
Greek typically forms negative commands (prohibitions) with μη(ν) + the subjunctive.
So Μην είσαι τόσο βιαστικός literally uses the (negative) subjunctive of είμαι (to be):
- (να) είσαι = “(that) you be” (subjunctive)
- μην είσαι = “don’t be”
You often see the subjunctive marker να in positive clauses (Να είσαι…), but with μη(ν) it’s not used: μην + subjunctive is the normal pattern.
What’s the difference between μη and μην? Why is it Μην here?
They’re the same word; ν is added before certain following sounds for smoother pronunciation. In practice:
- You’ll often see μην before vowels and many consonants.
- You’ll also sometimes see just μη in other contexts.
Both mean not / don’t, but μην είσαι is the most common way to write/say it here.
Why is it βιαστικός (masculine)? What if I’m speaking to a woman or to multiple people?
βιαστικός is an adjective meaning “hasty / rushed / impatient” and it must agree with the person addressed:
- Masculine singular: