Δεν αρνούμαι να σε βοηθήσω, αλλά θέλω πρώτα να τελειώσω τη δουλειά μου.

to want

Breakdown of Δεν αρνούμαι να σε βοηθήσω, αλλά θέλω πρώτα να τελειώσω τη δουλειά μου.

• η δουλειά: the work
• δεν: not
• να: to

Questions & Answers about Δεν αρνούμαι να σε βοηθήσω, αλλά θέλω πρώτα να τελειώσω τη δουλειά μου.

Why does the sentence start with Δεν αρνούμαι instead of just a simple verb meaning I don’t refuse?

Δεν is the normal Greek word for not when negating a verb in the indicative.

• αρνούμαι = I deny / I refuse
• δεν αρνούμαι = I do not deny / I am not refusing

So Δεν αρνούμαι να σε βοηθήσω literally means I’m not refusing to help you.

A learner should also notice that this is not exactly the same as I want to help you. It has a slightly different nuance:

• Δεν αρνούμαι να σε βοηθήσω = I’m not saying no to helping you
• Θέλω να σε βοηθήσω = I want to help you

The Greek sentence is making a contrast: I’m not refusing to help you, but first I want to finish my work.

Why is the verb αρνούμαι ending in -μαι if the meaning is active?

This is a very common question in Greek.

αρνούμαι looks like a middle/passive form because it has the ending -μαι, but its meaning here is active: I refuse.

This happens with some Greek verbs. They are often called deponent verbs in older grammar terminology, meaning they use middle/passive forms but have an active meaning.

So you should learn:

• αρνούμαι = I refuse
• not as a passive meaning like I am refused

Its forms follow the middle/passive pattern, but the meaning is active.