The definite article [ the nominative case]
In Greek, the word for the (definite article) depends on whether the noun it’s accompanying is masculine, feminine or neuter, singular or plural.
| Singular the | Plural the | |||
| m | the (brother) | o (αδερφός) | the (brothers) | οι (αδερφοί) |
| the (man) | o (άντρας) | the (men) | οι (άντρες) | |
| f | the (mother) | η (μητέρα) | the (mothers) | οι (μητέρες) |
| n | the (child) | το (παιδί) | the (children) | τα (παιδιά) |
The definite article is used much more in Greek than in English, notably:With proper nouns, e.g. place names: ο Όλυμπος Olympus, η Κρήτη Crete, το Λονδίνο London
….and people’s names, except when you’ re addressing them directly: ο Νίκος Nikos but Γεια σου Νίκο! Hello Nikos!; η Μαρία Maria but Γεια σου Μαρία! Hello Maria!
When saying my, your etc: η μητέρα μου my mother; ο αδερφός σου your brother
When expressing likes and dislikes: Μoυ αρέσει ο καφές I like coffee ; Δεν μου αρέσουν οι ελιές Ι don’t like olives.
The Indefinite Article
The Greek indefinite article is identical to the number one.
| m | f | n | |
| a/an, one | ένας αδερφός a/one brother | μία μπύρα a/one beer | ένα ουίσκι a/one whisky |
When saying you have one brother or want a/one coffee etc, both article and noun lose their final -s Έχω ένα αδερφό Ι have α/one brother Θέλω ένα καφέ/ I want a/one coffee.
Because the indefinite article is also the word for one, it’s more specific than a, an in English, and refers to a certain or special person or thing.
Some/any
Where English uses some or any, Greek uses the noun on its own.
Θέλω γάλα Ι want some milk
Έχετε μήλα; Have you got any apples?
The indefinite article (ένας, μία, ένα -> a, an) is only used before singular nouns. We remind that in Greek there are three genders: Masculine, Feminine and Neuter. The indefinite article (just as the definite) always has to match the gender of its noun.
You can also read: The Stress System
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