Questions & Answers about Η δικαιολογία δεν είναι καλή.
Why does the sentence start with Η?
Η is the definite article for a feminine singular noun in the nominative case. It means the.
Here, δικαιολογία is a feminine singular noun, so it takes η:
- η δικαιολογία = the excuse / the justification
So Η δικαιολογία is the subject of the sentence.
Why is it δικαιολογία and not some other form of the noun?
δικαιολογία is in the nominative singular because it is the subject of the sentence.
The basic pattern is:
- Η δικαιολογία = the excuse / the justification
If the noun had a different role in the sentence, its form might change. For example, Greek nouns change form depending on case. But here it is simply the thing being talked about, so nominative singular is the correct form.
What does δεν do in this sentence?
δεν is the normal Greek word for not before a verb.
So:
- είναι = is
- δεν είναι = is not
In this sentence:
- Η δικαιολογία δεν είναι καλή = The excuse is not good
A useful thing to remember is that δεν usually comes directly before the verb.