Particles are small, uninflected words that add nuance, emphasis, or logical connection. They're crucial for understanding Greek prose style.
Common particles: • ἄν - marks contingency (with subjunctive, optative, or indicative) • γε - emphasizes preceding word ("at least", "indeed") • δή - emphasis ("indeed", "certainly", "now") • μέν - anticipates contrast (usually followed by δέ) • οὐ/μή - negation (οὐ negates statements of fact; μή is used in commands, wishes, conditions, purpose clauses, and with most infinitives and participles) • περ - intensive ("very", "even") • που - "I suppose", "perhaps" • τοι - "you know", "surely"
Many particles are postpositive and cluster together.