Προσπαθώ να την παρηγορώ όταν είναι κουρασμένη ή λυπημένη.

I try to comfort her when she is tired or sad.

Breakdown of Προσπαθώ να την παρηγορώ όταν είναι κουρασμένη ή λυπημένη.

• είμαι: to be
• ή: or
• να: to
• όταν: when

Questions & Answers about Προσπαθώ να την παρηγορώ όταν είναι κουρασμένη ή λυπημένη.

Why is να used after προσπαθώ?

In Greek, προσπαθώ is normally followed by να + a verb:

• προσπαθώ να κάνω κάτι = I try to do something

So:

• Προσπαθώ να την παρηγορώ = I try to comfort her

Greek does not usually use an infinitive the way English does. Where English says to comfort, Greek typically uses να + a finite verb.

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Why is the verb παρηγορώ in the present form, not something like παρηγορήσω?

This is a very common question, because Greek often makes a distinction that English does not make so clearly.

After να, Greek can use:

• an imperfective form, often showing repetition, duration, or an ongoing/habitual action
• a perfective form, often showing a single, complete action

Here, παρηγορώ is the imperfective form. It suggests something like:

• trying to comfort her in general
• trying to comfort her whenever needed
• a repeated or ongoing effort

So Προσπαθώ να την παρηγορώ gives the idea of a habitual or continuing attempt to comfort her.

If you used παρηγορήσω, it would sound more like trying to comfort her as a single complete action.

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What does την mean here?