Η γυναίκα που μιλάει μαζί μου δουλεύει στο μαγαζί.

together

Breakdown of Η γυναίκα που μιλάει μαζί μου δουλεύει στο μαγαζί.

• σε: at
• μου: me
• δουλεύω: to work

Questions & Answers about Η γυναίκα που μιλάει μαζί μου δουλεύει στο μαγαζί.

What does the article Η indicate here?

Η is the feminine singular nominative definite article (“the”). It’s used because γυναίκα (“woman”) is a feminine noun and is the subject of the sentence. For reference: ο (masc.), η (fem.), το (neut.).

What exactly is που here? Is it the same as πού?

Here που is an invariable relative particle meaning “who/that/which”; it introduces the relative clause. It has no accent. πού (with an accent) means “where?” as a question word. So:

• που = that/who/which (no accent)
• πού = where? (accented)

Could I use η οποία instead of που? When would I?

Yes. Η γυναίκα η οποία μιλάει μαζί μου δουλεύει στο μαγαζί. is correct but more formal. The set ο/η/το οποίος agrees in gender/number/case and works well with prepositions, e.g. Η γυναίκα με την οποία μιλάω… (“the woman with whom I speak”). In everyday speech, που is far more common.

Why μιλάει and not μιλά? Are both correct?

Both are correct 3rd person singular forms of μιλάω/μιλώ (“to speak”):

• μιλάει = fuller form
• μιλά = shorter, very common colloquial form In fast speech many people pronounce μιλάει almost like μιλά.