Learn Hardcore Greek: Πλένω τα πιάτα και καθαρίζω την κουζίνα κάθε βράδυ. - I wash the dishes and clean the kitchen every evening.

It’s the present tense (ενεστώτας), which in Greek covers both English “I wash/I clean” and “I am washing/cleaning.” With κάθε βράδυ (“every night”), it clearly expresses a habitual routine.

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

Greek is a pro‑drop language: the verb ending shows the subject, so πλένω/καθαρίζω already mean “I wash/I clean.” You only add εγώ (“I”) for emphasis or contrast.

What are the exact verb forms here?

Both are 1st person singular present active: πλένω = “I wash,” καθαρίζω = “I clean.” They share the same (understood) subject “I.”

Why is it τα πιάτα but την κουζίνα? What’s going on with the articles?

Greek articles agree with gender, number, and case:

τα = neuter plural accusative (for πιάτα, neuter plural of πιάτο “plate/dish”)
την = feminine singular accusative (for κουζίνα, “kitchen,” a feminine noun)

What case are τα πιάτα and την κουζίνα, and why?

Accusative, because they’re direct objects of the verbs πλένω and καθαρίζω. Greek marks direct objects with the accusative.

Can I drop the articles, like “Πλένω πιάτα” or “Καθαρίζω κουζίνα”?

Πλένω πιάτα is possible and means “I wash dishes” (activity in general).
For κουζίνα, you normally keep the article (την κουζίνα) because you mean a specific kitchen (yours). Bare καθαρίζω κουζίνα sounds odd unless you mean it generically (e.g., as part of a job description).

Why is it την (with -ν) and not τη before κουζίνα?

The final -ν in την/τον is kept before vowels and certain consonants (κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ, and the clusters μπ, ντ, γκ, τσ, τζ). Since κουζίνα starts with κ, you keep ν: την κουζίνα.

Can I change the word order?

Yes. Common variants include:

Κάθε βράδυ πλένω τα πιάτα και καθαρίζω την κουζίνα.
Πλένω τα πιάτα κάθε βράδυ και καθαρίζω την κουζίνα. Greek word order is flexible; just keep phrases clear and natural.

Could I use πλύνω or καθαρίσω instead?

Not on their own in this context. πλύνω/καθαρίσω are perfective non‑past forms that need a particle like θα (future) or να (subjunctive/desiderative): θα πλύνω, να πλύνω; θα καθαρίσω, να καθαρίσω. Here you want the present habitual: πλένω, καθαρίζω.

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

Past (single completed event): Χτες βράδυ έπλυνα τα πιάτα και καθάρισα την κουζίνα.
Habitual past: Κάθε βράδυ έπλενα τα πιάτα και καθάριζα την κουζίνα.
Future (single occasion): Αύριο βράδυ θα πλύνω τα πιάτα και θα καθαρίσω την κουζίνα.

How do I pronounce the tricky bits?

πλένω ≈ “PLE-no” ([ˈple.no]); stress on πλέ-.
πιά in πιάτα is “pya” ([ˈpja.ta]).
και is “keh” ([ce]/[ke]); κι is “kee” ([ci]) before vowels.
θ (in κάθε, καθαρίζω) is unvoiced th (think); δ (in βράδυ) is voiced th (this).
β is “v”; ου (in κουζίνα) is “oo”; ζ is “z”.
ρ is a tap/very light roll.

What do the accent marks tell me?

The acute accent marks the stressed syllable:

Πλένω, πιάτα, καθαρίζω, κουζίνα, κάθε, βράδυ Correct stress is crucial for natural pronunciation.

What does και do here, and when would I use κι?

και means “and,” linking the two actions. The short form κι is commonly used before a vowel sound (e.g., κι εγώ), mainly for euphony. Here the next word starts with a consonant (καθαρίζω), so και is standard.

Is there a difference between βράδυ and νύχτα?

Both relate to night, but:

βράδυ = evening/night-time hours (more routine-friendly: κάθε βράδυ).
νύχτα = night proper, darker hours. κάθε νύχτα is fine but slightly different in feel.

Can I replace the nouns with pronouns?

Yes: Τα πλένω και την καθαρίζω κάθε βράδυ.

τα refers to τα πιάτα (neuter plural), την to την κουζίνα (feminine singular).
In the indicative, weak object pronouns go before the verb; with θα/να they come after the particle (e.g., Θα τα πλύνω). With a positive imperative, they follow the verb (e.g., Πλύνε τα).

Could I use reflexive forms like πλένομαι or καθαρίζομαι?

Those mean “I wash myself” / “I get cleaned,” not “I wash the dishes” or “I clean the kitchen.” For objects, use active forms: πλένω τα πιάτα, καθαρίζω την κουζίνα.

Does πιάτα mean “plates” or “dishes”?

Literally “plates,” but πλένω τα πιάτα idiomatically means “I do the dishes,” i.e., the washing-up after a meal. It can include more than just plates.

Are there more specific cleaning verbs I could use?

Yes, depending on the task:

σκουπίζω = I sweep/wipe
σφουγγαρίζω = I mop
τακτοποιώ = I tidy/put in order
ξεσκονίζω = I dust

Do I need a comma before και?

No. In Greek you generally don’t place a comma before και when simply linking two verbs/clauses like this.