Μην παρεξηγήσεις αυτό που είπα· ήμουν κουρασμένος, όχι θυμωμένος.

to be

Breakdown of Μην παρεξηγήσεις αυτό που είπα· ήμουν κουρασμένος, όχι θυμωμένος.

• όχι: not
• μην: not
• κουρασμένος: tired

Questions & Answers about Μην παρεξηγήσεις αυτό που είπα· ήμουν κουρασμένος, όχι θυμωμένος.

Why does the sentence start with Μην?

Because Greek uses μη(ν) to make a negative command or warning. In this sentence, Μην παρεξηγήσεις... means Don’t misunderstand... or Don’t take this the wrong way...

A useful contrast is:

• δεν = negates statements
• μην = negates commands, wishes, or subjunctive forms

So you say:

• Δεν είπα αυτό = I didn’t say that
• Μην το πεις = Don’t say it

What form is παρεξηγήσεις?

It is the 2nd person singular aorist subjunctive of παρεξηγώ (to misunderstand, to take the wrong way).

Here, with μην, it functions as a negative command:

• Μην παρεξηγήσεις = Don’t misunderstand / Don’t take it the wrong way

Even though it is called aorist, that does not mean past tense here.

If παρεξηγήσεις is aorist, why isn’t it past tense?