A2 Expression 중립

δεν είναι σίγουρο

it is not certain

Maybe yes, maybe no.

🌍

문화적 배경

The 'Soft No': Greeks often use uncertainty to avoid direct confrontation or refusal, which is seen as more polite in a collectivist culture. In the Cypriot dialect, you might hear 'Εν σίουρο' or 'Δεν είναι σίουρο', with a slightly different pronunciation of the 'g' sound. Greek-Americans often use 'Not sure' as a direct translation, sometimes losing the subtle 'impersonal' nuance of the Greek neuter form. In Greek business, 'Δεν είναι σίγουρο' is a signal to keep negotiating or that external bureaucracy is causing delays.

💡

The Shrug

When saying 'δεν είναι σίγουρο', a slight shrug of the shoulders and a tilt of the head makes you sound 100% more Greek.

⚠️

Gender Agreement

Remember: 'σίγουρο' (neuter) for situations, 'σίγουρος/η' (masc/fem) for people.

Maybe yes, maybe no.

💡

The Shrug

When saying 'δεν είναι σίγουρο', a slight shrug of the shoulders and a tilt of the head makes you sound 100% more Greek.

⚠️

Gender Agreement

Remember: 'σίγουρο' (neuter) for situations, 'σίγουρος/η' (masc/fem) for people.

🎯

Adding 'ακόμα'

Adding 'ακόμα' (yet) at the end makes you sound more hopeful and less dismissive.

💬

Politeness

Use this phrase to avoid saying 'no' directly to an invitation; it's the Greek way of being gentle.

셀프 테스트

Fill in the missing word to say 'It is not certain'.

Δεν _____ σίγουρο.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: είναι

We use the 3rd person singular 'είναι' for impersonal expressions.

Which sentence is correct for 'It's not certain if it will rain'?

Choose the correct option:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Δεν είναι σίγουρο αν θα βρέξει.

For weather and general situations, we use the neuter 'σίγουρο'.

Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.

Πέτρος: Θα έρθεις αύριο στο μάθημα; Εσύ: ________, έχω πολλή δουλειά.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Δεν είναι σίγουρο

This is the most polite and natural way to express that you might not make it.

Match the phrase to the situation.

Match 'Δεν είναι καθόλου σίγουρο' to its best context:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Talking about a very unlikely event.

'Καθόλου' adds emphasis, suggesting high doubt.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

Personal vs. Impersonal

Personal (I am...)
Δεν είμαι σίγουρος I am not sure
Impersonal (It is...)
Δεν είναι σίγουρο It is not certain

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Fill in the missing word to say 'It is not certain'. Fill Blank A1

Δεν _____ σίγουρο.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: είναι

We use the 3rd person singular 'είναι' for impersonal expressions.

Which sentence is correct for 'It's not certain if it will rain'? Choose A2

Choose the correct option:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Δεν είναι σίγουρο αν θα βρέξει.

For weather and general situations, we use the neuter 'σίγουρο'.

Complete the dialogue with the most natural response. dialogue_completion A2

Πέτρος: Θα έρθεις αύριο στο μάθημα; Εσύ: ________, έχω πολλή δουλειά.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Δεν είναι σίγουρο

This is the most polite and natural way to express that you might not make it.

Match the phrase to the situation. situation_matching B1

Match 'Δεν είναι καθόλου σίγουρο' to its best context:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Talking about a very unlikely event.

'Καθόλου' adds emphasis, suggesting high doubt.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

12 질문

Yes, it is a very common stand-alone answer to any question about plans or possibilities.

'Σίγουρο' is more common in daily speech. 'Βέβαιο' is more formal and academic.

No, it's neutral. However, follow it up with a reason why it's not certain to remain professional.

You would say 'Είμαι απόλυτα σίγουρος' or 'Είναι σίγουρο 100%'.

'Σίγουρο' is an adjective describing the implied subject 'it'. 'Σίγουρα' is an adverb meaning 'certainly'.

Yes: 'Δεν ήταν σίγουρο' (It wasn't certain).

Functionally, yes, but it specifically emphasizes the lack of certainty rather than just the possibility.

Yes, 'παίζεται' (it's being played) is the most common slangy equivalent.

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in a neutral-formal email.

You say 'Είναι σχεδόν σίγουρο'.

No, it's a soft 'gh' sound, like the Spanish 'g' in 'agua'.

No, for people use 'Δεν είναι σίγουρος' (He is not sure).

관련 표현

🔄

Ίσως

synonym

Perhaps / Maybe

🔗

Μπορεί

similar

It can / Maybe

🔄

Παίζεται

synonym

It's up in the air

🔗

Σίγουρα

contrast

Certainly / For sure

🔗

Είναι βέβαιο

contrast

It is certain

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