Η συλλογή είναι μεγάλη.

to be

Breakdown of Η συλλογή είναι μεγάλη.

• μεγάλος: large
• η συλλογή: the collection

Questions & Answers about Η συλλογή είναι μεγάλη.

What is the grammatical structure of Η συλλογή είναι μεγάλη?

It is a simple subject + verb + adjective sentence:

• Η συλλογή = the subject
• είναι = the verb to be
• μεγάλη = an adjective describing the subject

So grammatically, it works very much like English The collection is large.

Why is the article η used here?

Because συλλογή is a feminine singular noun, and the Greek definite article has to match it.

In the nominative singular:

• ο = masculine
• η = feminine
• το = neuter

So Greek says η συλλογή because συλλογή is feminine.

Why is συλλογή feminine?

Because grammatical gender in Greek is part of the noun itself. You learn the noun together with its article:

• η συλλογή

That tells you the noun is feminine. There is not always a logical reason why a thing is masculine, feminine, or neuter; it is just part of the word. That said, many nouns ending in -ή are feminine, so συλλογή fits a common pattern.

Why is it and not or ?