μη

See also: μυ, μι, and μή

Greek

Alternative forms

• μην (min)

Etymology

From Ancient Greek μή (mḗ, “not”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mi/

Particle

μη • (mi) (negating particle)

1. not

   μη θέλοντας   (not wanting)

   μην καπνίζετε   (do not smoke)

   Μακάρι να μην είχα κάνει τόσα λάθη στη ζωή μου.   (I wish I hadn't made so many mistakes in my life.)

2. non

   ο μη εργαζόμενος   (the non-employee)

Usage notes

• The alternative form μην (min) is used when the following letter is a vowel or a plosive consonant (ie κ, ξ, π, τ, ψ, γκ, ντ, μπ).
• μην and μη are used with subjunctive verbs, but δεν and δε are used with indicative verb forms.

Synonyms

• δεν (den)
• δε (de)