Δεν προλαβαίνω να περάσω από το φαρμακείο σήμερα, οπότε θα πάω αύριο.

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Breakdown of Δεν προλαβαίνω να περάσω από το φαρμακείο σήμερα, οπότε θα πάω αύριο.

• δεν: not
• να: to
• σήμερα: today

Questions & Answers about Δεν προλαβαίνω να περάσω από το φαρμακείο σήμερα, οπότε θα πάω αύριο.

What does Δεν προλαβαίνω literally mean, and how is it used in everyday Greek?

Προλαβαίνω literally relates to managing to do something in time (to “make it”, “have time for it”, “catch it before it’s too late”).
So Δεν προλαβαίνω is a very common way to say I don’t have time / I can’t make it in time (often implying you’re busy or time is tight), not that you are “unable” in general.

Why is there a να after Δεν προλαβαίνω?

In Greek, many verbs (including προλαβαίνω) are followed by να + verb to introduce what you (don’t) manage to do.
So the structure is: (Δεν) προλαβαίνω να + verb = (I don’t) have time to + verb / (I don’t) manage to + verb.
This να clause uses the “subjunctive-type” form (even though English just uses to + verb).

Why is it να περάσω and not να περνάω/περάσω—what’s the difference?

να περάσω is typically the perfective/aorist form, focusing on a single, complete action: “to pop by / to stop by (once)”.
να περνάω / να περνώ would be more imperfective, suggesting something more ongoing/habitual: “to be passing by / to go by regularly.”
Here, a one-time errand is meant, so να περάσω fits best.