Φέρνω νερό και βάζω τα πιάτα στο τραπέζι.

the water

Breakdown of Φέρνω νερό και βάζω τα πιάτα στο τραπέζι.

• και: and
• σε: on
• το τραπέζι: the table
• φέρνω: to bring
• βάζω: to put
• το πιάτο: the plate

Questions & Answers about Φέρνω νερό και βάζω τα πιάτα στο τραπέζι.

Does the Greek present here mean I bring or I’m bringing?

In Greek, the present covers both simple and progressive meanings. Φέρνω can mean I bring (habitual) or I’m bringing (right now). Same for βάζω.

Where is the subject I? Why isn’t it written?

Greek drops subject pronouns because verb endings show the person. The ending -ω in φέρνω/βάζω already means I. You can add Εγώ for emphasis: Εγώ φέρνω...

Why is there no article with νερό, but there is with τα πιάτα?

Mass/uncountable nouns often appear without an article when you mean some: φέρνω νερό = I bring water (some water). Τα πιάτα has the definite article because you likely mean the specific plates needed now. To be indefinite: μερικά/κάποια πιάτα (some plates). To be specific with water: φέρνω το νερό (the water).

Why is the article τα used with πιάτα? Why not οι?

Πιάτα is neuter plural; the neuter plural definite article is τα (both nominative and accusative). Οι is the masculine/feminine plural nominative article and does not fit here.

What exactly is στο?

It’s σε + το contracted. Σε means in/on/at/to (location or destination). So στο τραπέζι = on the table. Other contractions: στον (σε + τον), στη(ν) (σε + τη(ν)), στα (σε + τα).

What case are the nouns in, and does σε take a specific case?

Direct objects (νερό, τα πιάτα) are in the accusative. The preposition σε also governs the accusative, so στο τραπέζι uses accusative τραπέζι. With neuter nouns, nominative and accusative look the same; the article and context show the role.

Are βάζω and βάλω (and φέρνω/φέρω) different? Which one do I use?

Yes—this is aspect.

• Imperfective (ongoing/habitual): βάζω, φέρνω.
• Perfective (single, complete event; used after να/θα and in past): να βάλω, θα βάλω, έβαλα; να φέρω, θα φέρω, έφερα.
  In your sentence (present habitual/ongoing) use βάζω, φέρνω.

Is plain στο τραπέζι enough for onto the table, or should I say on top of?

With a motion verb like βάζω, στο τραπέζι naturally means onto the table. To be explicit, say πάνω στο τραπέζι (on top of the table).

Would a Greek also say I set the table?

Yes: Στρώνω το τραπέζι means I set the table (lay the table). Your sentence describes one part of that action.

How do I say it in the future or the past?

• Future: Θα φέρω νερό και θα βάλω τα πιάτα στο τραπέζι.
• Simple past (aorist): Έφερα νερό και έβαλα τα πιάτα στο τραπέζι.
• Imperfect (was doing/repeated): Έφερνα νερό και έβαζα τα πιάτα στο τραπέζι.

How would I say I put them on the table using a pronoun?

Use the clitic before the verb: Τα βάζω στο τραπέζι (them = the plates). For emphasis you can double it: Τα πιάτα τα βάζω στο τραπέζι.

Can I change the word order?

Yes, Greek allows flexible order for focus. Neutral: Φέρνω νερό και βάζω τα πιάτα στο τραπέζι. Focused variants: Τα πιάτα τα βάζω στο τραπέζι (focus on the plates), Στο τραπέζι βάζω τα πιάτα (focus on location).

How do I pronounce the words?

• Φέρνω: FER-no (stress on first syllable).
• νερό: ne-RO (stress on last).
• βάζω: VA-zo (ζ = z).
• πιάτα: PYA-ta (the πια cluster is palatalized).
• στο: sto.
• τραπέζι: tra-PE-zi.
• και: usually like ke; often slightly palatalized.

How do I negate it or make an imperative?

• Negation: Δεν φέρνω νερό και δεν βάζω τα πιάτα στο τραπέζι.
• Imperatives (one-time actions): Φέρε νερό και βάλε τα πιάτα στο τραπέζι.
• Negative imperative: Μην φέρεις νερό και μην βάλεις τα πιάτα στο τραπέζι.

What’s the difference between φέρνω, παίρνω, and πηγαίνω/πάω?

• Φέρνω = bring (toward here/the destination).
• Παίρνω = take (away, pick up).
• Πηγαίνω/πάω = go. For take something somewhere: παίρνω κάτι και το πάω κάπου; for bring here: φέρνω.