Learn Hardcore Greek: Είχα καθαρίσει το ψυγείο πριν πλύνω τα πιάτα. - I had cleaned the fridge before I washed the dishes.

είχα
- καθαρίσει = I had cleaned
  Other persons: είχες/είχε/είχαμε/είχατε/είχαν
  - καθαρίσει.
    The present perfect would be έχω καθαρίσει (I have cleaned).

Why is it πριν πλύνω and not πριν έπλυνα?

After πριν (before), Greek uses the subjunctive, not the indicative. So you say πριν πλύνω (aorist subjunctive) rather than the simple past έπλυνα.

Correct: πριν πλύνω τα πιάτα
Incorrect/unnatural: πριν έπλυνα τα πιάτα

Why is it πλύνω and not the present πλένω?

πλύνω is the aorist (perfective) subjunctive of πλένω and presents the action as a single, completed event (“wash once”).
πλένω is present (imperfective) and would suggest a habitual/ongoing action, which doesn’t fit here. After πριν for a specific one‑time event, use the aorist subjunctive: πριν πλύνω.

Can I say πριν να πλύνω?

You’ll hear it, but in standard Greek the particle να is usually omitted after πριν. Prefer πριν πλύνω.
Synonym: προτού πλύνω is also standard.

Could I instead say Καθάρισα το ψυγείο πριν πλύνω τα πιάτα?

Yes. Using the simple past (καθάρισα) is very natural in narration. The past perfect (είχα καθαρίσει) is best when you’re anchoring an earlier past action relative to another past reference point. Without prior context, the simple past often sounds lighter and more idiomatic.

What exactly is καθαρίσει here? Is it a participle?

It’s the perfective non‑finite form used with έχω/είχα to build the perfect and pluperfect tenses (e.g., έχω/είχα καθαρίσει). It doesn’t change with person or number.
Note: The adjectival participle is the -μένος form (e.g., καθαρισμένος), which is different.

Can I move the πριν‑clause to the front?

Yes: Πριν πλύνω τα πιάτα, είχα καθαρίσει το ψυγείο.
For emphasis you can also use clitic doubling/topicalization: Το ψυγείο το είχα καθαρίσει πριν πλύνω τα πιάτα.

Do I need a comma before πριν?

Not when the πριν‑clause follows the main clause (as in your sentence). Use a comma if the πριν‑clause comes first: Πριν πλύνω τα πιάτα, …

Why are the articles το (ψυγείο) and τα (πιάτα) used?

Greek uses definite articles broadly. Το ψυγείο and τα πιάτα refer to specific, known items (“the fridge,” “the dishes”).
Without the articles (e.g., πιάτα) the meaning drifts toward “some dishes,” which is a different nuance.

Why not στο ψυγείο after καθαρίσει?

Because καθαρίζω is a transitive verb that takes a direct object: καθαρίζω κάτι (“clean something”). Καθαρίζω στο ψυγείο would mean “I clean at/in the fridge,” which is not the intended meaning.

What’s the difference between καθαρίζω and πλένω here?

καθαρίζω = clean (general tidying/cleaning; can involve scrubbing, wiping, etc.).
πλένω = wash (specifically with water/soap).
So you typically καθαρίζω το ψυγείο but πλένω τα πιάτα.

Can I say Είχα καθαρισμένο το ψυγείο πριν πλύνω τα πιάτα?

Yes, but it’s a different structure and nuance. Είχα καθαρισμένο το ψυγείο uses the adjectival participle καθαρισμένο and means “I had the fridge (kept) clean/cleaned,” focusing on the resulting state rather than the action of cleaning.

How do I negate the sentence?

Put δεν before the auxiliary in the main clause: Δεν είχα καθαρίσει το ψυγείο πριν πλύνω τα πιάτα.
(If you needed to negate the subordinate action, you’d normally rephrase; “before I don’t wash” is odd in both languages.)

Are there near‑synonyms for πριν?

πριν
- subjunctive clause: πριν πλύνω
προτού
- subjunctive clause: προτού πλύνω (a bit more formal/literary)
πριν από
- noun/time phrase: πριν από το πλύσιμο, πριν από μία ώρα
  Don’t use πριν από directly before a finite verb.

Any pronunciation tips for tricky bits like είχα, ψυγείο, πλύνω?

είχα: the χ is a voiceless “kh” sound.
ψυγείο: ψ = “ps,” γει = “yee” (stress on -γεί-: psee‑YEE‑o).
πλύνω: stress on πλύ- (PLEE‑no), different from present πλένω (PLE‑no).