Η ζωή στην πόλη είναι δύσκολη.

to be

Breakdown of Η ζωή στην πόλη είναι δύσκολη.

• σε: in
• η πόλη: the city
• δύσκολος: difficult

Questions & Answers about Η ζωή στην πόλη είναι δύσκολη.

Why is there an article in Η ζωή, when in English we just say life without the?

Greek uses the definite article much more often than English.

• Η ζωή literally is the life, but in many contexts it translates as just life.
• In general, Greek tends to use the article with abstract nouns (like ζωή = life, αγάπη = love, ελευθερία = freedom) where English often omits it.

So Η ζωή στην πόλη είναι δύσκολη is naturally translated as Life in the city is difficult, not The life in the city is difficult, even though the Greek has the article.

What does στην mean exactly, and why is it written as one word?

Στην is a combination of two words:

• σε = in / at / to
• την = the (feminine singular accusative)

So:

• σε + την πόλη → στην πόλη

In speech these merge, and in modern Greek spelling they are normally written as one word: στον, στην, στο, στη, etc., depending on the gender and number of the noun that follows.

What case is πόλη in here, and why?