Η όπτηση χρειάζεται κεραμικό κλίβανο.

Firing requires a ceramic kiln.

Breakdown of Η όπτηση χρειάζεται κεραμικό κλίβανο.

• χρειάζομαι: to need
• ο κεραμικός κλίβανος: the ceramic kiln
• η όπτηση: the firing

Questions & Answers about Η όπτηση χρειάζεται κεραμικό κλίβανο.

Why does the sentence start with Η?

Η is the definite article meaning the. Here it is the feminine singular nominative form, because it goes with όπτηση, which is a feminine singular noun and the subject of the sentence.

So:

• η όπτηση = the firing

Because it is at the beginning of the sentence, Η is capitalized.

What case is όπτηση, and how do we know it is the subject?

όπτηση is in the nominative singular, which is the case normally used for the subject.

In this sentence:

• Η όπτηση = the subject
• χρειάζεται = the verb
• κεραμικό κλίβανο = the direct object

So the structure is basically:

• The firing
  • needs/requires
    • a ceramic kiln

A Greek learner often spots the subject by looking for the nominative form and checking what agrees with the verb.

What does όπτηση mean exactly?