Learn Greek › B2 › ου
ου
not /ˈu/
particleB2#2735 most common
Also: no, not at all (emphatic form)
Example sentences
Ου γράφω.
I do not write.
Ου θέλω τούτο.
I do not want this.
Ου λέγει την αλήθειαν.
He does not speak the truth.
Ου φονεύσεις.
Thou shalt not kill.
Ου γαρ οίδασι τι ποιούσιν.
For they know not what they do.
Ου παντός ανδρός εις Κόρινθον ο πλους.
Not every man can afford the voyage to Corinth.
Word family
Etymology
Ου is the plain negative particle of Ancient and Koine Greek, used before words starting with a consonant (its allomorphs ουκ and ουχ appear before vowels). Its ultimate origin is debated among linguists. Many connect it to the widespread Indo-European negative element seen in Latin ne- and Sanskrit na, though the exact path to the Greek form is not settled. In everyday Modern Greek it has been replaced by δεν and μη(ν), and now survives mainly in quotations, proverbs, and formal or religious language.
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