Breakdown of Περίμενε λίγο, πίνω μια γουλιά νερό.
το νερό
the water
πίνω
to drink
λίγο
a little
περιμένω
to wait
Questions & Answers about Περίμενε λίγο, πίνω μια γουλιά νερό.
What kind of form is Περίμενε?
Περίμενε is the imperative form of περιμένω (to wait), so it means wait.
In this sentence it is:
- singular
- informal
- used when speaking to one person you would address as εσύ
If you were speaking to:
- more than one person, or
- one person formally
you would say Περιμένετε instead.
So:
- Περίμενε λίγο = Wait a bit
- Περιμένετε λίγο = Wait a bit (plural/formal)
Why is λίγο used here?
Here λίγο means a little / for a bit / for a moment.
It modifies Περίμενε, not νερό. So the idea is:
- Περίμενε λίγο = Wait a moment
- not drink a little water
This is very common in Greek. With imperatives, λίγο often softens the command and makes it sound more natural.
Does λίγο always mean the same thing?