Το καλοκαίρι κολυμπάμε σε μια μικρή λίμνη, επειδή η θάλασσα είναι μακριά.

In the summer we swim in a small lake, because the sea is far away.

Breakdown of Το καλοκαίρι κολυμπάμε σε μια μικρή λίμνη, επειδή η θάλασσα είναι μακριά.

• είμαι: to be
• μικρός: small
• σε: in
• μακριά: far
• επειδή: because
• μία: one
• η θάλασσα: the sea
• κολυμπάω: to swim
• το καλοκαίρι: in the summer
• η λίμνη: the lake

Questions & Answers about Το καλοκαίρι κολυμπάμε σε μια μικρή λίμνη, επειδή η θάλασσα είναι μακριά.

Why is κολυμπάμε in the present tense when the sentence talks about something we do every summer? Shouldn’t it be a future tense?

In Greek, the present tense is commonly used for habits and repeated actions, just like in English:

• Το καλοκαίρι κολυμπάμε… = In (the) summer we (usually) swim…

It doesn’t mean “we are swimming right now.” It expresses a general, repeated habit.

You could say Το καλοκαίρι θα κολυμπάμε…, but that sounds more like “This coming summer we will be swimming…”, focusing on the future rather than a general habit.

Why is it το καλοκαίρι without a preposition? In English we say in the summer.

Greek often uses a definite article + time word with no preposition to mean “in/at [that time]”:

• το καλοκαίρι = in (the) summer
• τον χειμώνα = in (the) winter
• το πρωί = in the morning

You could add a preposition and say το καλοκαίρι, το καλοκαίρι του 2025, κατά το καλοκαίρι, but for the general seasonal meaning, το καλοκαίρι alone is normal and natural.

Why does καλοκαίρι have το, but in some sentences I see it without the article (just καλοκαίρι)? What’s the difference?

Both forms exist:

• Το καλοκαίρι κολυμπάμε… – Very common; feels like talking about “the summer season” in a general way.
• Καλοκαίρι κολυμπάμε… – Also possible; a bit more bare or poetic/informal, focusing on the time period without highlighting it as “the season.”

In everyday speech, you’ll very often hear το καλοκαίρι when introducing a habitual action.

Why is it σε μια μικρή λίμνη and not στη μικρή λίμνη? What’s the difference?

• σε μια μικρή λίμνη = in a small lake (unspecified, any small lake)
• στη(ν) μικρή λίμνη = in the small lake (a particular lake that both speaker and listener know)

So the sentence uses μια (indefinite article) because the lake is not specific; it’s just “a small lake” near them.

Why σε μια μικρή λίμνη and not μέσα σε μια μικρή λίμνη? Aren’t both “in a small lake”?

Both can be correct, but there’s a nuance:

• σε μια μικρή λίμνη – Neutral way to say in a small lake / at a small lake. Context usually makes it clear you mean “in the water.”
• μέσα σε μια μικρή λίμνη – Literally “inside a small lake,” adding extra emphasis that you are inside the lake (as opposed to near it).

In most everyday sentences about swimming, σε alone is enough.

Why does λίμνη take μια and not έναν? How do I know which article to use?

Λίμνη is a feminine noun, so it uses feminine articles:

• μια λίμνη – a lake
• η λίμνη – the lake

Masculine nouns take έναν/ο, neuter nouns take ένα/το. For example:

• ένας δρόμος / ο δρόμος – a/the road (masculine)
• ένα δέντρο / το δέντρο – a/the tree (neuter)
• μια λίμνη / η λίμνη – a/the lake (feminine)

What is the function of μικρή in μια μικρή λίμνη, and why is it in that form?

Μικρή is an adjective meaning small. In Greek, adjectives must agree with the noun in:

• Gender: λίμνη is feminine → μικρή is feminine
• Number: λίμνη is singular → μικρή is singular
• Case: λίμνη is accusative (object of σε) → μικρή is accusative as well

So you get (σε) μια μικρή λίμνη: all three words are feminine, singular, accusative.

Why is it η θάλασσα but not μια θάλασσα? English just says “the sea,” but what is the logic in Greek?

Greek uses the definite article a lot, especially with unique or generic things:

• η θάλασσα here means “the sea” in general, like “the sea near us / our nearest sea.”
• Saying μια θάλασσα would suggest “a sea” among several seas, which sounds odd in this everyday context.

So η θάλασσα is used because we’re speaking about the usual sea in their area, not just any random sea.

What exactly does είναι μακριά mean here? It looks like “is far.” Is something missing?

Είναι μακριά literally means “is far (away)”. In English, you’d usually say:

• because the sea is far away (from here).

Greek often omits the part like “from here” or “from us” when it’s obvious from context. So:

• η θάλασσα είναι μακριά = “the sea is far (away from here/our place).”

Why is it μακριά and not an adjective like μακρινή?

• μακριά here is an adverb = far, far away.
• μακρινή is an adjective = distant, far (as a descriptive quality).

So:

• η θάλασσα είναι μακριά – “the sea is far away.” (adverb describing how it is)
• μια μακρινή θάλασσα – “a distant sea.” (adjective modifying a noun)

In the sentence, we’re describing distance, so the adverb μακριά is the natural choice.

Why is there a comma before επειδή? Is that always required in Greek?

Yes, in this kind of sentence, the comma is normal and expected. Greek uses a comma before επειδή (“because”) when it introduces a subordinate clause explaining the reason:

• …κολυμπάμε σε μια μικρή λίμνη, επειδή η θάλασσα είναι μακριά.

It’s similar to English:

• …we swim in a small lake, because the sea is far away.

What is the difference between επειδή and γιατί? Could I say γιατί η θάλασσα είναι μακριά instead?

Both επειδή and γιατί can mean “because”:

• επειδή η θάλασσα είναι μακριά
• γιατί η θάλασσα είναι μακριά

Here they’re interchangeable. Nuance:

• γιατί is also used for “why” in questions.
• επειδή is only “because” and can sound a little more neutral/formal.

In spoken Greek, γιατί is extremely common for “because.” In your sentence, either is fine.