Learn Hardcore Greek: Πού είναι το δωμάτιο της φίλης σου;

Πού: interrogative adverb meaning “where.”
είναι: 3rd person singular present of είμαι “to be” (here: “is”).
το: nominative/neuter singular definite article for the head noun.
δωμάτιο: nominative/neuter singular noun, the subject (“the room”).
της: genitive/feminine singular definite article introducing the possessor (“of the”).
φίλης: genitive/feminine singular noun (“friend” f.).
σου: genitive/2nd person singular enclitic pronoun (“your”).

Structure: head noun with article + genitive possessor phrase → το δωμάτιο + της φίλης σου = “the room of your (female) friend.”

Why is it της φίλης and not της φίλη?

Because possession uses the genitive case. η φίλη (nominative) becomes της φίλης (genitive singular feminine). This -ης ending is the regular genitive for many feminine nouns in -η (e.g., η πόλη → της πόλης).

Why do we need both της and σου in της φίλης σου?

της is the feminine genitive definite article (“of the”), required before a definite noun in a genitive possessor phrase.
σου is the enclitic pronoun “your.” Together they mean “of your friend.” Omitting της is generally ungrammatical in standard modern Greek for this structure.

Can I say το δωμάτιο φίλης σου without της?

Not in standard usage. You normally need the genitive article: το δωμάτιο της φίλης σου. Without της, it sounds telegraphic or nonstandard.

Why does σου come after φίλης and not before, like English “your friend”?

Greek possessive pronouns (μου, σου, του/της, μας, σας, τους) are enclitics that follow the noun they modify: η φίλη σου (“your friend”), της φίλης σου (“of your friend”). You can’t put σου before the noun.

Do we need the definite article το with possessed nouns?

Yes, typically. Greek prefers the definite article with possessed nouns: το δωμάτιο της φίλης σου. Without το, you’d imply “a room of your friend” (δωμάτιο της φίλης σου), which is unusual and changes the meaning.

Can the possessor come before the noun, like της φίλης σου το δωμάτιο?

Yes, that order is possible and can add emphasis to the possessor (“your friend’s room”). Neutral/default order is still το δωμάτιο της φίλης σου.

How does the sentence change if the friend is male?

Use masculine genitive: του φίλου σου. Full sentence: Πού είναι το δωμάτιο του φίλου σου;

How does it change if I’m addressing someone politely or a group (your = plural)?

Change σου to σας:

Singular polite/plural: της φίλης σας (f. friend), του φίλου σας (m. friend). Example: Πού είναι το δωμάτιο της φίλης σας;

What if I mean “your friends’ (plural) room”?

Use plural genitive for “friends”: των φίλων σου/σας. Example: Πού είναι το δωμάτιο των φίλων σου;

Is είναι singular or plural here?

Here it’s 3rd person singular (“is”), agreeing with το δωμάτιο. Note that Greek είναι is used for both “is” and “are” (3rd person singular and plural), with number understood from the subject.

Can I replace “your friend” with “her” or “his,” as in “Where is her room?”

Yes:

“her room”: Πού είναι το δωμάτιό της;
“his room”: Πού είναι το δωμάτιό του; Note the extra accent on δωμάτιό (see the next Q).

Why does δωμάτιο gain an extra accent in το δωμάτιό της?

When a proparoxytone word (stress on the antepenultimate, like δωμάτιο) is followed by an enclitic (μου, σου, του/της, μας, σας, τους), it takes an additional written accent on the last syllable: το δωμάτιό της/μου/σου. The original stress remains too.

What’s the difference between Πού and που?

Πού (with accent) = “where” (interrogative/adverb).
που (no accent) = “that/which/who” (relative pronoun) or colloquial “where/that.” In questions, always write Πού with an accent.

Why is there a semicolon-like mark (;) at the end?

In Greek, the question mark is written as a semicolon (;). So … σου; is a question.

How do you pronounce the sentence?

Approximate: “Poo EE-neh to tho-MÁ-tee-o tees FEE-lees soo.” Key sounds:

Πού = [pu]
είναι = [ˈine]
δ in δωμάτιο is voiced “th” as in “this” [ðoˈma.tio]
ου in σου is “oo” [su]

Could I use βρίσκεται instead of είναι?

Yes. Πού βρίσκεται το δωμάτιο της φίλης σου; means “Where is your friend’s room located?” It sounds a bit more formal/specific.

Is η φίλη always “girlfriend,” or just a female friend?

η φίλη typically means “female friend.” For “girlfriend,” Greek often uses η κοπέλα (μου/σου/του/της) or η σύντροφός (μου/σου/...) depending on context. So της φίλης σου is usually “of your female friend,” not necessarily “of your girlfriend.”

Is είναι related to ναι (“yes”)? They look similar.

No. είναι means “is/are” (from είμαι “to be”). ναι means “yes.” They’re unrelated despite looking alike.