Μην ξεχνάς τον τόνο όταν γράφεις αυτή τη λέξη.

Don’t forget the accent when you write this word.

Breakdown of Μην ξεχνάς τον τόνο όταν γράφεις αυτή τη λέξη.

• αυτός: this
• μην: not
• γράφω: to write
• όταν: when

Questions & Answers about Μην ξεχνάς τον τόνο όταν γράφεις αυτή τη λέξη.

Why does the sentence begin with μην?

Μην is the negative particle used for commands and instructions. It gives the sense of don’t.

So:

• Μην ξεχνάς = Don’t forget
• Compare with positive:
  • Θυμήσου = Remember
  • Μην ξεχνάς = Don’t forget

In this sentence, μην is what turns the verb into a negative instruction.

Is ξεχνάς here just the normal present tense, or is it part of a command?

It is part of a command.

In Modern Greek, negative commands are usually formed with:

• μην
  • a subjunctive-looking verb form

With many verbs, that form looks exactly like the ordinary present tense form. So ξεχνάς here looks like you forget, but after μην it means don’t forget.

So grammatically, this is not just a plain statement. It functions as a negative command/instruction.

Why is it μην ξεχνάς and not μην ξεχάσεις?

This is a very common question, because both are possible, but they are not identical.

• Μην ξεχνάς uses the imperfective/present stem.
• Μην ξεχάσεις uses the stem.