Η φίλη μου είναι έξυπνη και μαθαίνει γρήγορα γλώσσες.

to be

Breakdown of Η φίλη μου είναι έξυπνη και μαθαίνει γρήγορα γλώσσες.

• και: and
• η φίλη: the female friend
• μου: my

Questions & Answers about Η φίλη μου είναι έξυπνη και μαθαίνει γρήγορα γλώσσες.

Why do we say Η φίλη μου (“the friend my”) instead of just Φίλη μου when English just has “My friend”?

In Greek, the definite article (ο, η, το) is used much more often than in English, including with possessives.

• Η φίλη μου literally means “the friend of mine”, but it is the normal, neutral way to say “my friend”.
• Saying just Φίλη μου is possible, but it sounds more emotional or poetic, like “my friend!” (as in addressing someone), or it needs a specific context.

So for simple statements like “My friend is smart…”, you almost always use the article: Η φίλη μου …

Why is the article η and not ο before φίλη?

Because φίλη is grammatically feminine.

• ο φίλος = (male) friend
• η φίλη = (female) friend

The definite article must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun:

• ο φίλος (masc., singular, nominative)
• η φίλη (fem., singular, nominative)

In this sentence the subject is a female friend, so you must say Η φίλη μου.

Why is μου placed after φίλη? Could we say μου φίλη or η μου φίλη?