Breakdown of Αν τρυπήσεις τον τοίχο, πρέπει μετά να βιδώνεις προσεκτικά και να μην βιάζεσαι.
και
and
να
to
πρέπει
to have to
μην
not
Questions & Answers about Αν τρυπήσεις τον τοίχο, πρέπει μετά να βιδώνεις προσεκτικά και να μην βιάζεσαι.
What form is τρυπήσεις?
Τρυπήσεις is the 2nd person singular perfective non-past form of τρυπάω / τρυπώ.
In this sentence, after αν, it means something like if you drill / if you make a hole. It refers to one complete action, not an ongoing process.
For an English speaker, it may look like a future or subjunctive form. In practical terms, after αν, Greek often uses this form for a future possible condition.
Why is there no να after αν?
Because αν and να do different jobs, and in this kind of conditional sentence Greek uses αν + non-past form, not αν να.
So:
- Αν τρυπήσεις... = If you drill / if you make a hole...
But:
- να τρυπήσεις would be used in a different structure, such as purpose, desire, instruction, or necessity.
A simple rule for learners is:
- αν introduces a condition
- να introduces a subjunctive clause after verbs like πρέπει, θέλω, μπορώ, etc.
Why is it τον τοίχο and not ο τοίχος?