Δεν ξέρω σε ποιο βαγόνι είναι η φίλη μου.

I don't know which carriage my friend is in.

Breakdown of Δεν ξέρω σε ποιο βαγόνι είναι η φίλη μου.

• είμαι: to be
• δεν: not
• η φίλη: the female friend
• μου: my

Questions & Answers about Δεν ξέρω σε ποιο βαγόνι είναι η φίλη μου.

Why is the negation δεν and not μη(ν)?

Because ξέρω and είναι are in the indicative, and the normal negation for the indicative in Modern Greek is δεν.

Use μη(ν) mainly with:

• the subjunctive
• commands / prohibitions
• certain fixed expressions

For example:

• Δεν ξέρω = I don’t know
• Μην πας = Don’t go

So Δεν ξέρω... is exactly what you expect here.

Why is there a σε before ποιο βαγόνι?

Because Greek uses σε to express location very often.

Here, σε ποιο βαγόνι means in which carriage / car.

In Modern Greek, σε + accusative can cover meanings that English expresses with different prepositions, such as:

• in
• at
• to

So even though English says in which car, Greek says σε ποιο βαγόνι.

What case is ποιο βαγόνι, and why?