Σήμερα δεν έφαγα κανονικό πρωινό.

to eat

Breakdown of Σήμερα δεν έφαγα κανονικό πρωινό.

• δεν: not
• σήμερα: today
• το πρωινό: the breakfast

Questions & Answers about Σήμερα δεν έφαγα κανονικό πρωινό.

What does Σήμερα mean, and does it have to come first?

Σήμερα means today.

It does not have to come first, but putting it first is very natural when the speaker wants to set the time right away:

• Σήμερα δεν έφαγα κανονικό πρωινό. = Today I didn’t eat a proper breakfast.
• Δεν έφαγα κανονικό πρωινό σήμερα. = I didn’t eat a proper breakfast today.

Both are correct. The position mostly affects emphasis, not the basic meaning.

Why is δεν placed before έφαγα?

Δεν is the basic Greek word for not in statements.

In Greek, δεν normally goes directly before the verb:

• δεν έφαγα = I did not eat

So the structure is very similar to English not + verb idea, although Greek does not need a separate helping verb like did.

What does έφαγα mean exactly?