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Θε να
by Guest User - Sunday, 9 January 2011, 04:42 AM
 

I'd like to understand what exactly this "phrase" mean.

Like in here:

θε να γυρίσει απίστομα
να μείνει ο χειμώνας.

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Re: Θε να
by Guest User - Monday, 10 January 2011, 05:15 PM
  Γεια σου! As far as I know, "θε να" should mean "θέλω να".
e.g.: Ρωμιός γεννήθηκα, Ρωμιός θε να πεθάνω =
I was born Greek, I want to die Greek!
Hope it helps smile

Maria
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Re: Θε να
by Guest User - Monday, 10 January 2011, 05:38 PM
  Ευχαριστώ πολύ!

I wavered between "I wish / I'd like" and "I want"

George
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Re: Θε να
by Greg Brush - Monday, 10 January 2011, 09:52 PM
  θε να (also seen written as θε' να) represents an intermediate stage in the transformation of ancient/classical θέλω 'ίνα + subjunctive clause ("I want that...") into the Modern Greek particle of future tense, θα.

The quotation that Maria mentions ("I was born a Greek, I will die a Greek!") was uttered nearly two centuries ago during the struggle for Greek independence. Although θε να would now be considered "obsolete", you can still find it in poetry, especially in song lyrics.

Regards,
Greg Brush
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Re: Θε να
by Guest User - Tuesday, 11 January 2011, 02:29 PM
  Definitely there is a song in wich I've found "Θε να".
Τhank you so much for this complete explanation.

George
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