Ο θυμός δεν βοηθάει σε μια δύσκολη συζήτηση.

Anger does not help in a difficult discussion.

Breakdown of Ο θυμός δεν βοηθάει σε μια δύσκολη συζήτηση.

• δεν: not
• σε: in
• βοηθάω: to help
• δύσκολος: difficult

Questions & Answers about Ο θυμός δεν βοηθάει σε μια δύσκολη συζήτηση.

Why is it ο θυμός and not just θυμός?

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...

What does δεν mean, and why is it placed before the verb?

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.

Why is the verb βοηθάει?