δεν είναι καλό
den einai kalo
In Greek, "not good" is expressed as δεν είναι καλό (den einai kalo).
The phrase δεν είναι καλό is used to describe something that is of poor quality or unsatisfactory.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of δεν (not), είναι (is) and καλό (good).
Which one should you use?
While δεν είναι καλό describes a state of being, δεν είναι καλός is used specifically to describe a person's character or skill.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective καλό must agree in gender with the subject: use καλός for masculine subjects and καλή for feminine subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
den einai kalo
Did you know?
- While δεν είναι καλό describes quality, Greeks often use the phrase δεν πάει to say a situation is 'not good' or 'not working'.
- The word δεν actually traces its roots back to the Ancient Greek word οὐδέν, which originally meant 'in no way' rather than a simple 'not'.
- In certain contexts, δεν είναι καλό can be used as a warning or a premonition that something bad is about to happen.
Examples in context
- Το νερό του ποταμού δεν είναι καλό.The river water is not good.This sentence shows how to use δεν είναι καλό regarding the quality of river water.Tatoeba #5315680 by Zeus, translation #5336175 by Amittai
- Αυτός δεν είναι καλός στα μαθηματικά.He is not good at mathematics.This sentence uses δεν είναι καλό to describe a person's ability in mathematics.Tatoeba #3018695 by glavkos, translation #6157113 by amoeba
- Το σκεφτόμουν κι αυτό δεν είναι καλό, οπότε καλύτερα να χωρίσουμε από σήμερα και στο εξής.I've been thinking it over and this is not good, so we'd better separate from today onwards.This sentence uses δεν είναι καλό to describe a situation or a decision.Tatoeba #7491917 by JimLimnios, translation #9181474 by Nylez
- Η εξυπηρέτηση ήταν πολύ κακήThe service was very bad
- Η ποιότητα του προϊόντος δεν είναι ικανοποιητικήThe quality of the product is not satisfactory
- Αυτή η ταινία δεν παλεύεταιThis movie is unbearable
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nikos and Anastasia are trying a new dish at a restaurant.
- Νίκος NikosΠώς είναι το φαγητό σου;Pos einai to fagito sou?How is your food?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΔυστυχώς, δεν είναι καλό.Dystychos, den einai kalo.Unfortunately, it is not good.
- Νίκος NikosΤι δεν είναι καλό σε αυτό;Ti den einai kalo se afto?What is not good about it?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕίναι πολύ αλμυρό.Einai poly almyro.It is too salty.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries δεν, είναι, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
