Ο θυμός δεν βοηθάει σε μια δύσκολη συζήτηση.

In Greek, it is very common to use the definite article with abstract nouns, even when English would not.

So ο θυμός literally means the anger, but in natural English we usually translate it simply as anger.

Also, ο θυμός is the subject of the sentence, so it appears in the nominative singular masculine:

• ο = masculine singular nominative article
• θυμός = anger

So Greek prefers Ο θυμός δεν βοηθάει..., where English prefers Anger doesn’t help...

δεν is the standard word for not in Modern Greek.

It normally goes directly before the finite verb:

• βοηθάει = helps
• δεν βοηθάει = does not help / doesn’t help

So:

• Ο θυμός δεν βοηθάει = Anger does not help

This is the normal Greek word order for negation.

βοηθάει is the 3rd person singular present tense form of βοηθάω / βοηθώ, meaning to help.

The subject is ο θυμός, which is singular, so the verb must also be singular:

• ο θυμός = anger
• βοηθάει = helps

So the sentence literally follows:

• Ο θυμός = anger
• δεν βοηθάει = doesn’t help

Yes. In Modern Greek, both βοηθάει and βοηθά can be used for he/she/it helps.

So these are both natural:

• Ο θυμός δεν βοηθάει
• Ο θυμός δεν βοηθά

The version with -άει is very common in everyday speech and writing. The meaning is the same here.

σε is a very common preposition in Greek. It often means in, to, at, or with, depending on context.

Here it introduces the situation in which anger is not helpful:

• σε μια δύσκολη συζήτηση = in a difficult discussion / in a difficult conversation

So σε here is best understood as in.

Because all three words match the gender and number of συζήτηση.

• συζήτηση is a feminine singular noun
• μια is the feminine form of a/an
• δύσκολη is the feminine singular form of difficult

So:

• μια = a
• δύσκολη = difficult
• συζήτηση = discussion / conversation

They have to agree:

• μια δύσκολη συζήτηση

After σε, Greek uses the accusative case.

So in this sentence, συζήτηση is accusative singular.

A useful thing to know is that for many feminine nouns like συζήτηση, the nominative and accusative singular look the same:

• nominative: η συζήτηση
• accusative: τη συζήτηση

That is why the noun itself does not visibly change here.

It can mean all of those, depending on context.

συζήτηση is a broad word that can refer to:

• a discussion
• a conversation
• a talk

In this sentence, a difficult discussion or a difficult conversation are both good translations. Discussion may sound slightly more natural if the situation is serious or emotionally charged.

Yes. Greek word order is more flexible than English word order.

The original sentence:

• Ο θυμός δεν βοηθάει σε μια δύσκολη συζήτηση.

is a neutral, natural way to say it.

But you could also say:

• Σε μια δύσκολη συζήτηση, ο θυμός δεν βοηθάει.

This puts more emphasis on the situation in a difficult discussion.

You may also hear:

• Δεν βοηθάει ο θυμός σε μια δύσκολη συζήτηση.

This can sound slightly more emphatic around doesn’t help.

So the original order is not the only possible one, but it is very normal.

Because συζήτηση is feminine.

Greek indefinite articles change according to gender:

• ένας = masculine
• μια / μία = feminine
• ένα = neuter

Since συζήτηση is feminine, the correct form is:

• μια συζήτηση

Not:

• ένα συζήτηση

A rough pronunciation guide is:

o thimós den voitháei se mia dýskoli sizítisi

A few helpful sound notes:

• θ sounds like th in think
• δ sounds like th in this
• υ here sounds like ee
• the stress marks show which syllable is stressed:
  • θυμός
  • βοηθάει
  • δύσκολη
  • συζήτηση

So the rhythm is roughly:

o thi-MOS den voi-THA-ei se mia DYS-ko-li si-ZI-ti-si