Το πλοίο μεταφέρει το φορτίο.

The ship carries the cargo.

Breakdown of Το πλοίο μεταφέρει το φορτίο.

• το πλοίο: the ship
• μεταφέρω: to carry
• το φορτίο: cargo; load

Questions & Answers about Το πλοίο μεταφέρει το φορτίο.

What does το mean, and why is it used twice?

Το is the Greek definite article, equivalent to the.

It appears twice because there are two definite noun phrases in the sentence:

• το πλοίο = the ship
• το φορτίο = the cargo

In Greek, each noun normally takes its own article, just as in English you say the ship carries the cargo, not the ship carries cargo if you mean a specific cargo.

Why do πλοίο and φορτίο both use το?

Because both πλοίο and φορτίο are neuter singular nouns.

The article has to agree with the noun in gender, number, and case. For neuter singular nouns, the form of the definite article is το in both the nominative and the accusative.

So:

• το πλοίο = neuter singular
• το φορτίο = neuter singular

That is why they look the same even though one is the subject and the other is the object.

What case are the nouns in?