Questions & Answers about Η ξαδέρφη μου δουλεύει σε μουσείο και αγαπάει την τέχνη.
What does Η mean at the beginning, and why do we need it?
Η is the feminine singular definite article “the” in Greek.
- Η ξαδέρφη = the (female) cousin
- Greek usually uses the article with family members, professions, etc., where English often drops it. So Η ξαδέρφη μου literally is “the cousin my”, but it means “my cousin” (female).
Why does μου (my) come after ξαδέρφη and not before, like in English?
In Greek, short possessive pronouns like μου (my), σου (your), του (his), της (her) usually come after the noun:
- η ξαδέρφη μου = my cousin
- το βιβλίο σου = your book
- η δουλειά του = his job
They are unstressed (clitic) words and attach to the noun phrase.
You don’t normally say μου ξαδέρφη; that word order is wrong in standard modern Greek.
What is the difference between ξαδέρφη and ξάδερφος?
They are the feminine and masculine forms of cousin:
- η ξαδέρφη = female cousin
- ο ξάδερφος = male cousin
The article also changes:
- η for feminine
- ο for masculine
So:
- Η ξαδέρφη μου δουλεύει… = My (female) cousin works…
- Ο ξάδερφός μου δουλεύει… = My (male) cousin works…