Breakdown of Η φίλη μου προτιμάει ένα άθλημα, γιατί δεν της αρέσει τόσο η τέχνη.
δεν
not
η φίλη
the female friend
μου
my
γιατί
because
Questions & Answers about Η φίλη μου προτιμάει ένα άθλημα, γιατί δεν της αρέσει τόσο η τέχνη.
What does μου mean in η φίλη μου, and why does it come after the noun instead of before it like in English?
Μου here means my. It’s an unstressed possessive pronoun (also called a clitic).
In Greek, the usual, neutral way to say my friend is:
- η φίλη μου = my (female) friend
- ο φίλος μου = my (male) friend
So the pattern is: article + noun + μου / σου / του / της / μας / σας / τους
You don’t normally say μου φίλη for my friend; that would only appear in special emphatic or poetic contexts. In ordinary speech and writing, μου goes after the noun.
Why is it η φίλη and not ο φίλη? How do I know the gender here?
Φίλη is the feminine form of friend, and φίλος is the masculine form:
- η φίλη = (female) friend
- ο φίλος = (male) friend
The article shows gender:
- η = feminine singular
- ο = masculine singular
- το = neuter singular
So if you’re talking about a female friend you say η φίλη, and if you’re talking about a male friend you say ο φίλος. The possessive μου does not change for gender; it stays the same.
What’s the difference between προτιμάει and προτιμά? Which one should I use?