Η περίοδος ήταν δύσκολη.

The period was difficult.

Breakdown of Η περίοδος ήταν δύσκολη.

• είμαι: to be
• δύσκολος: difficult
• η περίοδος: period; era

Questions & Answers about Η περίοδος ήταν δύσκολη.

What does each word in Η περίοδος ήταν δύσκολη mean literally?

Word by word:

• Η = the
• περίοδος = period
• ήταν = was
• δύσκολη = difficult

So the structure is very close to English: The period was difficult.

Why is there Η at the beginning?

Η is the feminine singular nominative definite article, meaning the.

It is used because περίοδος is:

• singular
• feminine
• the subject of the sentence

Greek articles change depending on gender, number, and case, so you cannot use just one form of the for every noun.

Why is περίοδος feminine even though it ends in -ος?