The Final -ν
The final /n/ of the article forms τον, την, of the personal pronoun form την, of the negative particle δεν, and, occasionally, of the word σαν drops before a continuant constant (/v, f, δ, θ, γ, χ, s, z, m, n, l, r/), for example, τη βροχή, τη φωνή, δε θέλω etc.
The final /n/ is not dropped before a vowel and the consonants /p, t, k, b, d, g, ts, dz/, for example, τον όμορφο, την παρακαλώ, την ξέρω, δεν καταλαβαίνω etc.
The negative particle, μη, by analogy with the negative particle δεν, develops a final /n/ before a vowel or a stop consonant, for example, μην αγαπάς, μην περιμένεις, but: μη φύγεις, μη ρωτάς. Isolated however, the negative particle μη never occurs with final /n/.
In English, we have two indefinite articles. One article precedes a
vowel sound (an) and the
other that precedes a consonant sound (a). A similar
situation occurs in Greek. Many invariable words like δε (not) and
μη (don't) and also declinable words take this ν.
The declinable words take this ν in the accusative singular of the
masculine and feminine genders. All pronouns do so except for the strong
pronouns of the third person. In the accusative singular of the masculine and
feminine genders of the strong pronouns this ν is compulsory. Therefore
him/it is always αυτόν, and τον, her/it
is always αυτήν, and την, and it is
always αυτό and το, in the neuter gender. Thus
the neuter and the masculine strong pronouns are always distinguishable.
The ν is required when the following word begins with κ, π, τ, μπ, γκ, τς, τζ and all vowels. If words begin with other consonants-γ, β, δ, φ, θ, μ, ν, λ, ρ, ς, ζ-and the ν must not be used.