μην ή δεν
I saw this sentence:
ελπίζω να μην είναι κάτι σοβαρό. The translation was: I hope it's nothing serious.

Is the translation correct? If it is, why "μην " and not "δεν" (or is δεν possible as well)?

why the "να" after "ελπίζω" -- is this what necessitates the use of "μην" ?

Question

μην ή δεν
I saw this sentence:
ελπίζω να μην είναι κάτι σοβαρό. The translation was: I hope it's nothing serious.

Is the translation correct?   If it is, why "μην " and not "δεν" (or is δεν possible as well)?

why the "να" after "ελπίζω" -- is this what necessitates the use of "μην" ?

Answer

Thank you very much, Venetia.  Your explanation was crystal clear.

Answer

Hello! I think that the translation is correct.
After the function word να, we always put ''μην'' as a negation.
''μην'' is the negation of all verbs in Subjunctive and Imperative. It has to do with a grammatical mood that possibly you do not learn it yet. 
 ''δεν'' is the negation of the third one,  Indicative mood. 
Verbs that express desire, wish, necessity, exhortation, possibility, prohibition, etc. are followed by the function word ''να'' (na) and a verb in the Subjunctive Mood. 
So, the verb ''ελπίζω'' that means ''I hope'' is one of that verbs that needs to put after that να+verb. 
I hope that helped you (=Ελπίζω να σε βοήθησα) ;)

Answers · 2

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