Η γάστρα κρατάει τον ατμό.

The Dutch oven keeps the steam.

Breakdown of Η γάστρα κρατάει τον ατμό.

• κρατάω: to keep
• η γάστρα: the Dutch oven
• ο ατμός: the steam

Questions & Answers about Η γάστρα κρατάει τον ατμό.

Why does the sentence start with Η?

Η is the feminine singular definite article, meaning the.

So:

• η = the for feminine singular nouns in the nominative
• γάστρα is a feminine noun

That is why you get Η γάστρα = the roasting pan / the baking dish / the Dutch oven.

What exactly does γάστρα mean?

Γάστρα is a cooking word. Its exact English equivalent can vary by context, because it refers to a covered cooking vessel used for roasting or baking.

Depending on the situation, it might be translated as:

• roasting pan
• covered baking dish
• Dutch oven
• clay pot

So it is not always a perfect one-word match in English. The important idea is that it is a container used for cooking, especially one that can keep heat and steam inside.

Why is γάστρα feminine?

In Greek, every noun has grammatical gender: masculine, feminine, or neuter.
Γάστρα happens to be feminine, so it takes feminine forms such as:

• η γάστρα = the roasting pan
• τη(ν) γάστρα = the roasting pan as an object

This is grammatical gender, so it does not mean the object is literally female. It is just part of how the noun behaves in Greek.