Bedeutung
Warning.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Greek parents are known for being very protective. You will hear 'Μην παίζεις με αυτό' or 'Πρόσεχε!' (Watch out!) constantly in Greek playgrounds. Many Greek songs use the metaphor of 'playing' to describe a lover who isn't serious. It's a staple of romantic drama. In some Greek villages, playing with certain objects (like scissors or umbrellas indoors) is said to bring bad luck or arguments. Greeks value 'filoxenia' (hospitality), but they also value boundaries. Telling a guest 'Μην παίζετε με αυτό' is rare unless the guest is a close friend or a child.
Use the Plural
If you want to sound more polite or are speaking to a group, say 'Μην παίζετε με αυτό'.
Tone Matters
Saying this too loudly can sound very aggressive. Use a calm but firm voice for better results.
Bedeutung
Warning.
Use the Plural
If you want to sound more polite or are speaking to a group, say 'Μην παίζετε με αυτό'.
Tone Matters
Saying this too loudly can sound very aggressive. Use a calm but firm voice for better results.
Body Language
Greeks often use a single finger wag (like a pendulum) when saying this to children.
Abstract Use
Don't be afraid to use it for abstract things like 'time' or 'patience'—it makes you sound very native!
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to complete the warning.
Μην ______ με αυτό το μαχαίρι!
We use the 2nd person singular 'παίζεις' for a direct command to 'you'.
Which negative particle is used for commands?
______ παίζεις με τη φωτιά.
'Μην' is the correct particle for prohibitions and commands in Greek.
Complete the dialogue between a mother and her son.
Son: Κοίτα, μαμά! Παίζω με το κινητό σου! Mother: ________!
The mother needs to give a negative command to her son.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Someone is making fun of your serious problem.
This phrase is used to tell someone to take a situation seriously.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Μην vs Δεν
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenΜην ______ με αυτό το μαχαίρι!
We use the 2nd person singular 'παίζεις' for a direct command to 'you'.
______ παίζεις με τη φωτιά.
'Μην' is the correct particle for prohibitions and commands in Greek.
Son: Κοίτα, μαμά! Παίζω με το κινητό σου! Mother: ________!
The mother needs to give a negative command to her son.
Someone is making fun of your serious problem.
This phrase is used to tell someone to take a situation seriously.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, for a game like football or chess, you would say 'Μην παίζεις αυτό το παιχνίδι' (without 'με'). Adding 'με' implies messing with an object.
It can be blunt. To be more polite, add 'Σε παρακαλώ' (Please) at the beginning.
'Αυτό' is for something right here. 'Εκείνο' is for something over there. Usually, if you're warning someone, the object is close to them, so 'αυτό' is more common.
Yes, but use the formal 'Μην παίζετε' if speaking to colleagues you aren't close with.
You say 'Μη με παίζεις'.
Yes, 'Μην' often drops the 'ν' before certain consonants, but 'Μην παίζεις' is the standard written form.
Yes, 'Μην παίζεις με τη φωτιά' is a very common idiom.
Use 'Μην το αγγίζεις'. It's more specific.
Extremely common in dramas and action films during tense standoffs.
Only if you have a very close, informal relationship. Otherwise, it's too direct.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Μην το αγγίζεις
similarDon't touch it
Μην ανακατεύεσαι
similarDon't interfere
Άστο κάτω
similarPut it down
Μην παίζεις με τη φωτιά
specialized formDon't play with fire
Σοβαρέψου
contrastGet serious
