Δεν προλαβαίνω να κάνω το σιδέρωμα σήμερα.

not

Breakdown of Δεν προλαβαίνω να κάνω το σιδέρωμα σήμερα.

• να: to
• σήμερα: today
• κάνω: to do

Questions & Answers about Δεν προλαβαίνω να κάνω το σιδέρωμα σήμερα.

What does Δεν προλαβαίνω mean here? Is it literally I don't catch up?

In this sentence, Δεν προλαβαίνω means I don’t have enough time, I can’t fit it in, or I won’t manage in time.

The verb προλαβαίνω often has the idea of being in time to do something or managing to get something done before it’s too late / before time runs out.

So:

• Δεν προλαβαίνω να κάνω το σιδέρωμα σήμερα.
  = I don’t have time to do the ironing today.

It is not just about physical speed. It usually means there isn’t enough time in my schedule.

Why is να used before κάνω?

Greek usually does not use an infinitive the way English does.
Where English says to do, Greek often uses να + verb.

So:

• να κάνω = to do
• να φύγω = to leave
• να δω = to see

After προλαβαίνω, Greek normally uses this structure:

• προλαβαίνω να... = manage / have time to...
• δεν προλαβαίνω να... = don’t manage / don’t have time to...

So να κάνω is the normal Greek equivalent of English to do here.

Why does Greek say κάνω το σιδέρωμα instead of just using one verb?