Η συνταγή γράφει όλα τα υλικά, όπως ρύζι, λάδι και ελαιόλαδο.

The recipe lists all the ingredients, such as rice, oil and olive oil.

Breakdown of Η συνταγή γράφει όλα τα υλικά, όπως ρύζι, λάδι και ελαιόλαδο.

• και: and
• γράφω: to write
• όλος: all
• όπως: like

Questions & Answers about Η συνταγή γράφει όλα τα υλικά, όπως ρύζι, λάδι και ελαιόλαδο.

What does Η συνταγή γράφει literally mean, and why can a recipe write something in Greek?

Literally, Η συνταγή γράφει means The recipe writes.

In Greek, it’s very common to use γράφει (it writes) with books, recipes, notes, etc., where in English we would normally say:

• The recipe says
• The recipe lists
• The recipe gives the ingredients

So:

• Η συνταγή γράφει όλα τα υλικά ≈ The recipe lists all the ingredients / The recipe says all the ingredients

Greek is simply treating the recipe as a thing that “writes” its contents, even though in English we avoid that and prefer say, list, give, etc.

What person and number is γράφει, and what is its subject in this sentence?

γράφει is:

• 3rd person
• singular
• present tense of γράφω (to write)

In Η συνταγή γράφει όλα τα υλικά, the subject is η συνταγή (the recipe). So grammatically:

• Η συνταγή (she/it)
• γράφει (writes)
• όλα τα υλικά (all the ingredients)

Why is it η συνταγή and not ο συνταγή or το συνταγή?