να

See also: ΝΑ and Appendix:Variations of "na"

Greek

Etymology 1

From Byzantine Greek να (na), from Ancient Greek ἵνα (hína).

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 ή να φύγω;

   Na meíno í na fýgo?

   Should I stay or should I go?

   Δε θέλω να τον βλέπω.

   De 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 yourself.

   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”)
• ας (as, “let; leave off”)

Etymology 2

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

Particle

να • (na)

1. used to show or point out someone or something: there, here

   Να τα προβλήματά μου.

   Na ta provlímatá mou.

   These are my problems.

   Να ’τος! (’τος here is a contraction of αυτός (aftós))

   Na ’tos!

   There he is!

   Να ’μαστε πάλι εδώ Αντρέα! (’μαστε here is a contraction of είμαστε (eímaste))

   Na ’maste páli edó Antréa!

   Here we are again, Andrea!

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

   Να! Παρ’ τα!

   Na! Par’ ta!

   There! Take that!

3. (vulgar) when used with a hand gesture pointing to own genitals, means "I don't give a shit":

   Κι εμένα, να!

   Ki eména, na!

   As for myself I don't give a shit!

Synonyms

• (here's, there's): ιδού (idoú), ορίστε (oríste)