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δέ

dé

G1161 coordinating conjunction

SILEX Entry

Root δε- to indicate transition, to contrast slightly, to shift topic

Definition

A postpositive particle used to mark a transition or contrast between clauses or sentences; primarily indicates slight adversative force ('but'), but more commonly serves to move the discourse forward without strong contrast ('now', 'and', 'then', 'so'). Its meaning depends on context and is often untranslatable in English, merely organizing or structuring the flow of narrative or argument.

Semantic Range

but, and, now, moreover, then, so, (untranslatable discourse marker); marks transition, weak contrast, narrative sequence, or continuation of thought

Root / Etymology

Root/Stem: δε-. Etymology uncertain; functions as a fundamental Greek discourse particle without clear derivation from other attested roots.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, δέ is one of the primary discourse particles and appears after the first word in a clause (postpositive). It is less emphatic than ἀλλά (alla, 'but'), and often simply indicates a new step, topic, or element in a series, not necessarily a direct opposition. In Hellenistic Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, δέ maintains its use as a mild contrastive or narrative organizing particle. It is extremely common, often left untranslated in English, or rendered as 'and', 'but', 'now', or 'then' depending on context. Standard translations using 'but' or 'now' may exaggerate its force compared to the subtlety with which it functions in original Greek. Unlike καί (kai, 'and'), which coordinates elements and accumulates, δέ marks progression or slight contrast, yet both can sometimes be translated 'and'.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).

Root Family

δέ (de) — transition, slight contrast, continuation, topic shift

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1211 δή now

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G1161-02 δὲ de CONJ but now 2775
G1161-01 δ’ d CONJ but now 24

Occurrences in Scripture

2799 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G1161-02 Matthew 1:2 δὲ de CONJ and now
G1161-02 Matthew 1:2 δὲ de-2 CONJ and now
G1161-02 Matthew 1:3 δὲ de CONJ and now
G1161-02 Matthew 1:3 δὲ de-2 CONJ and now
G1161-02 Matthew 1:3 δὲ de-3 CONJ and now
G1161-02 Matthew 1:4 δὲ de CONJ and now
G1161-02 Matthew 1:4 δὲ de-2 CONJ and now
G1161-02 Matthew 1:4 δὲ de-3 CONJ and now
G1161-02 Matthew 1:5 δὲ de CONJ and now
G1161-02 Matthew 1:5 δὲ de-2 CONJ and now
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