δε

See also: δεν, δέ, -δε, and Appendix:Variations of "de"

Greek

Alternative forms

• δεν (den)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈðe/

Etymology 1

Pronunciation of δεν (den).

Particle

δε • (de) (negating particle)

1. Alternative form of δεν (den) used optionally without the ending ⟨ν⟩ before consonants ⟨ β δ θ φ χ λ ρ σ ζ γ μ ν ⟩ but not before ⟨γκ, μπ, ντ⟩

   Δε θέλω! Μη μου το κάνεις αυτό! ― De thélo! Mi mou to káneis aftó! ― I don't want! Don't do this to me!

Usage notes

• δεν (den) and δε are used with indicative verb forms, but μην (min) and μη (mi) are used with subjunctive verbs.

Related terms

• ευχαριστώ, αλλά δε θα πάρω (efcharistó, allá de tha páro, “thanks, but no thanks”)

Etymology 2

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek δέ (dé, “and, but”).

Conjunction

δε • (de)

1. also, but also
2. on the other hand used together with μεν (men)

   Ο μεν γαμπρός ήταν ευτυχισμένος, η δε νύφη έκλαιγε.

   O men gamprós ítan eftychisménos, i de nýfi éklaige.

   On the one hand, the groom was happy, on the other hand the bride was crying.

3. (emphatic, in transitional use) especially

   Πάντοτε ήταν επιθετικός. Τώρα δε, που άρχισε να πίνει, έχει γίνει επικίνδυνος.

   Pántote ítan epithetikós. Tóra de, pou árchise na pínei, échei gínei epikíndynos.

   He has always been aggressive. And/especially now, that he started drinking, he became dangerous.

Further reading

• “δε”, “δεν”, in Λεξικό της κοινής νεοελληνικής [Dictionary of Standard Modern Greek], Triantafyllidis Foundation, 1998