Breakdown of Η σερβιτόρα μας δίνει τον λογαριασμό όταν τελειώνουμε.
Questions & Answers about Η σερβιτόρα μας δίνει τον λογαριασμό όταν τελειώνουμε.
What is the role of μας, and why does it come before δίνει?
- μας is an unstressed (clitic) pronoun meaning “to us/us,” functioning here as an indirect object.
- In Greek, weak object pronouns normally go immediately before a finite verb: μας δίνει.
- With particles, the clitic still stays before the verb: θα μας δώσει, να μας δώσει.
- With affirmative imperatives, it goes after the verb: δώσ’ μας (τον λογαριασμό).
Which parts are the direct and the indirect object, and which cases are they in?
- Direct object: τον λογαριασμό (accusative).
- Indirect object: μας (genitive clitic used for the “to us/for us” function). Greek uses accusative for direct objects and genitive weak pronouns for indirect objects.
Why is it τον λογαριασμό and not ο λογαριασμός?
Because it’s a direct object. The article ο is nominative (subject). For a masculine singular direct object you use accusative τον: τον λογαριασμό.
If you wanted “a bill,” you’d say έναν λογαριασμό (indefinite, accusative).
Can I write το λογαριασμό (dropping the final -ν of τον)?
Modern spelling allows the final -ν of τον/την to drop before many consonants (notably not before κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ, μπ, ντ, γκ, τσ, τζ). Before λ it can drop, so you may see το λογαριασμό.
However, many speakers keep the -ν everywhere to avoid confusion with the neuter article το. As a learner, it’s safest to write and say τον λογαριασμό.
Is δίνει the most idiomatic verb here, or should I use something else?
δίνω (give) is correct, but in restaurants Greeks very often say φέρνω (bring). So the most natural version is often:
- Η σερβιτόρα μας φέρνει τον λογαριασμό όταν τελειώνουμε.
Why is it όταν τελειώνουμε and not όταν τελειώσουμε?
- όταν + present (imperfective) describes habits/general truths: όταν τελειώνουμε = “when(ever) we finish (as a habit).”
- όταν + aorist subjunctive is used for a single future event: Όταν τελειώσουμε, η σερβιτόρα θα μας φέρει τον λογαριασμό = “When we finish (this time), the waitress will bring us the bill.” Avoid όταν θα τελειώσουμε in standard Greek.
Can I use όποτε instead of όταν?
Yes, but the nuance changes.
- όταν = when (at the time that), also used generically.
- όποτε = whenever/any time that, emphasizing indefiniteness/repeatability.
Example: Όποτε τελειώνουμε, μας φέρνει τον λογαριασμό.
Does the Greek present here mean both “gives” and “is giving”?
What other word orders are possible?
Greek allows flexible word order for focus/emphasis, but the clitic stays with the verb:
- Όταν τελειώνουμε, η σερβιτόρα μας δίνει τον λογαριασμό.
- Η σερβιτόρα τον λογαριασμό μας δίνει όταν τελειώνουμε (focus on “the bill”).
- You can drop the subject if understood: Μας δίνει τον λογαριασμό όταν τελειώνουμε.
Avoid placing the clitic away from the verb (e.g., ✗ δίνει μας in neutral statements).
Why do we need the article Η before σερβιτόρα?
Greek uses the definite article more than English to refer to known/specific people: Η σερβιτόρα = “the waitress (we’re dealing with).”
Without an article, σερβιτόρα is typically a predicate noun: Είναι σερβιτόρα = “She is a waitress.”
Does σερβιτόρα specifically mean a female server? How do I be gender‑neutral?
- η σερβιτόρα = female server; ο σερβιτόρος = male server.
- For inclusive reference, you’ll often see ο/η σερβιτόρος/σερβιτόρα, or a descriptive phrase like το άτομο που μας εξυπηρετεί (“the person serving us”).
What forms of τελειώνω are relevant here?
- Present (habitual/ongoing): τελειώνω, τελειώνεις, τελειώνει, τελειώνουμε, τελειώνετε, τελειώνουν(ε).
- Aorist (single, completed past): τέλειωσα, τελείωσες, τελείωσε, τελειώσαμε, τελειώσατε, τελείωσαν.
- Aorist subjunctive (for “when/if/that we finish”): να τελειώσω/τελειώσουμε.
Compare: όταν τελειώνουμε (habit) vs όταν τελειώσουμε (one specific future time).
How do I say “She gives it to us” with pronouns only?
Use a double clitic: indirect before direct. For a masculine object like λογαριασμός, use τον:
- Μας τον δίνει = “She gives it (the bill) to us.”
With φέρνω: Μας τον φέρνει.
For a neuter object (e.g., το μενού), you’d say μας το δίνει.
How do I negate this idea, and how would I say “until we finish”?
- Negation: Η σερβιτόρα δεν μας φέρνει/δίνει τον λογαριασμό όταν τελειώνουμε.
- “Until we finish”: Η σερβιτόρα δεν μας φέρνει τον λογαριασμό μέχρι να τελειώσουμε.
Note μέχρι να takes the subjunctive (τελειώσουμε).
Do I need a comma with όταν?
- If the όταν-clause comes first, use a comma after it: Όταν τελειώνουμε, η σερβιτόρα…
- If it comes after the main clause, no comma: Η σερβιτόρα … όταν τελειώνουμε.
The given sentence is correctly punctuated without a comma.
Any tips on pronouncing tricky bits like λογαριασμό and τελειώνουμε?
- λογαριασμό: lo-gha-ria-SMO. The γ is a soft voiced fricative (like a soft “gh”), and ρια sounds like “rya.” Stress the last syllable.
- τελειώνουμε: te-li-Ó-nou-me. ει sounds like “ee,” and ιω here gives a “yó” glide; stress the Ó.
- δίνει: THEE-nee (δ = “th” in “this”).
- Η is pronounced “ee.”
How can I politely ask for the bill in Greek?
Common, polite options:
- Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ.
- Μας φέρνετε τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ;
- Μπορούμε να έχουμε τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ;
All are natural in a restaurant.
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