Greek

Particle

να • ‎(na)

1. added before the dependent or present verb forms to form the different subjunctive moods, serving a variety of different clausal functions and to express imperatives, wishes or hypotheticals:

   Μπορώ να έχω...‎ ― Boró na écho... ― Can I have...

   Θέλω να φύγω.‎ ― Thélo na fýgo. ― I want to leave.

   Να μείνω η να φύγω;‎ ― Na meíno i na fýgo? ― Should I stay or should I go?

   Δεν θέλω να τον βλέπω.‎ ― Den thélo na ton vlépo. ― I don't want to be seeing him.

   Δεν έχω όρεξη να κάθομαι εκεί επί ώρες.‎ ― Den écho órexi na káthomai ekeí epí óres. ― I'm not in the mood to be sitting there for hours.

   Να προσέχεις τον εαυτό σου.‎ ― Na prosécheis ton eaftó sou. ― Take care of himself.

   Να' χεις το νου σου.‎ ― Na' cheis to nou sou. ― Be aware/be on the lookout.

   Να είχαμε πέντε λεπτά ακόμα.‎ ― Na eíchame pénte leptá akóma. ― If only we had five more minutes.

2. used after the neuter definite article and before the second person singular of the present tense, it converts the clause to a noun phrase with the function of gerund:

   Το να κλέβεις τις ιδέες ενός είναι "λογοκλοπή", το να κλέβεις τις ιδέες πολλών είναι "επιστημονική έρευνα".‎ ― To na kléveis tis idées enós eínai "logoklopí", to na kléveis tis idées pollón eínai "epistimonikí érevna". ― Stealing ideas from one person is "plagiarism", stealing from many is "research".

Related terms

• θα ‎(tha, “would, will”)

Etymology

From Byzantine Greek να ‎(na), from Ancient Greek ἤν ‎(ḗn).

Particle

να • ‎(na)

1. used to show or point out someone or something:

   Να τα προβλήματά μου.‎ ― Na ta provlímatá mou. ― These are my problems.

   Να' τος!‎ ― Na' tos! ― There he is! (τος here is a contraction of αυτός)

2. when used with the hand gesture moutza, indicaties of displeasure or anger:

   Να! Παρ' τα!‎ ― Na! Par' ta! ― There! Take that!

Related terms

• ιδού ‎(idoú, “lo, here is”)