Learn Hardcore Greek: Αυτός ο άντρας και αυτή η γυναίκα είναι φίλοι μου.

In Greek, “this/that + noun” is normally formed as demonstrative + article + noun. So “this man” is Αυτός ο άντρας (or post‑nominally ο άντρας αυτός). Saying Αυτός άντρας without the article is unidiomatic in modern Greek.

Can the demonstrative go after the noun? Does that change the meaning?

Yes: ο άντρας αυτός and η γυναίκα αυτή are fully correct and mean “this man/this woman.” Post‑nominal placement can add light contrast/emphasis (“that particular one”), but in everyday speech both orders are near‑equivalent.

Why is the verb είναι used when the subject is plural?

Greek είναι serves as both 3rd singular and 3rd plural of “to be.” Present tense of είμαι:

εγώ είμαι
εσύ είσαι
αυτός/αυτή/αυτό είναι
εμείς είμαστε
εσείς είστε/είσαστε
αυτοί/αυτές/αυτά είναι

Why is φίλοι (masculine plural) used when one person is a woman?

Greek uses the masculine plural as the default for mixed groups. With at least one male in the group, you use φίλοι. Only an all‑female group takes φίλες.

If both people were female, what would change?

For two named women: Η Μαρία και η Άννα είναι φίλες μου.
For “these women” in general: Αυτές οι γυναίκες είναι φίλες μου.

What’s the difference between είναι φίλοι μου and είναι οι φίλοι μου?

είναι φίλοι μου = “are friends of mine” (indefinite, membership in the set of my friends).
είναι οι φίλοι μου = “are my friends” (definite—the specific friends previously known from context, or “my friends” as a recognized group).

Is it okay to say Αυτός ο άντρας και αυτή η γυναίκα είναι οι φίλοι μου?

Yes. It means “This man and this woman are my friends (the ones I mean).” Use it when you’re identifying them as the specific friends in question.

Why does μου come after the noun, and how do I emphasize “my”?

The unstressed possessive μου is an enclitic and follows the noun: οι φίλοι μου, φίλοι μου. For emphasis/contrast, use the strong possessive: δικός μου/δική μου/δικοί μου. Example: Είναι φίλοι δικοί μου (“They’re my friends (not someone else’s)”).

How do I pronounce the sentence? Any traps?

Approximate IPA: [afˈtos o ˈandras ce afˈti i ʝiˈneka ˈine ˈfili mu]

αυ- before voiceless consonants (τ, κ, π) is [afˈtos], αυτή [afˈti].
ντ in άντρας is
γυ in γυναίκα is
και is pronounced [ke].
είναι is [ˈine] (ee-neh).
φίλοι is [ˈfili] (fee-lee).

Where are the stresses, and what do the accents do?

Primary stress falls on the accented syllable: Αυτός, άντρας, αυτή, γυναίκα, είναι, φίλοι. μου is unstressed. Enclitics can trigger a second accent on the preceding word if its stress is too far from the end (e.g., το όνομά μου), but in φίλοι μου no extra accent is needed.

What cases are used here?

ο άντρας, η γυναίκα, φίλοι are nominative (subject and subject complement).
μου is genitive (possessor: “of me”).

Can I drop the second demonstrative (αυτή) and just say Αυτός ο άντρας και η γυναίκα?

You can, but the meaning changes to “this man and the woman.” Without αυτή, the second noun is just “the woman,” not “this woman.”

Is άντρας the same as άνδρας?

Yes—άντρας is the common modern form; άνδρας is more formal/older. Both mean “man” (also “husband” in some contexts).

Does γυναίκα also mean “wife”?

Yes. η γυναίκα = “woman,” but η γυναίκα μου = “my wife.” Context decides.

Why not αυτήν instead of αυτή?

Because we need the nominative (subject) form. αυτήν is the accusative (object) form; nominative is αυτή.

Can I front the predicate for emphasis, like in English “Friends of mine are this man and this woman”?

Yes: Φίλοι μου είναι αυτός ο άντρας και αυτή η γυναίκα. This emphasizes “friends of mine.”

How would I say “These two—the man and the woman—are friends of mine”?

Αυτοί οι δύο, ο άντρας και η γυναίκα, είναι φίλοι μου. Here Αυτοί οι δύο (“these two”) is a separate appositive that introduces the pair.

How do I say “close friends of mine” here?

Add an agreeing adjective: είναι στενοί φίλοι μου or είναι καλοί φίλοι μου. (Masculine plural adjectives because the group is mixed.)