Το πάτωμα στην κουζίνα καθαρίζεται με το σφουγγάρι.

The floor in the kitchen is cleaned with the sponge.

Breakdown of Το πάτωμα στην κουζίνα καθαρίζεται με το σφουγγάρι.

• με: with
• σε: in
• η κουζίνα: the kitchen
• καθαρίζομαι: to be cleaned
• το πάτωμα: the floor
• το σφουγγάρι: the sponge

Questions & Answers about Το πάτωμα στην κουζίνα καθαρίζεται με το σφουγγάρι.

Why is it Το πάτωμα and not something else? What does the article το tell me?

Το πάτωμα means “the floor.”

• πάτωμα is a neuter noun. Its dictionary form is το πάτωμα.
• The article το is the neuter singular definite article in the nominative case.
• Greek normally uses the definite article much more than English, even when English might drop it (English: “Floor’s dirty,” Greek still: Το πάτωμα είναι βρώμικο).

So Το πάτωμα = “the floor,” and το tells you “this is a specific/neuter singular subject.”

What case is πάτωμα in, and why?

πάτωμα is in the nominative case:

• It’s the subject of the verb καθαρίζεται (“is cleaned”).
• In Modern Greek, the subject of a finite verb is in the nominative, so we get Το πάτωμα (not Του πατώματος, Του πατώματος would be genitive).

What does στην κουζίνα literally mean, and why is it written like that?

στην κουζίνα means “in the kitchen”.

• It comes from σε + την κουζίνα.
• σε = in / at / on (general preposition of place or time).
• την = feminine singular definite article (accusative).
• In spoken and written Greek, σε + την → στην (contraction), so you usually see στην κουζίνα, not σε την κουζίνα.

So literally it’s “in-the kitchen.”

Why is κουζίνα in the accusative if it’s a location (not movement)?

In Modern Greek, the preposition σε is almost always followed by the accusative case, whether it’s location or movement:

• στην κουζίνα – in the kitchen (location, still accusative)
• στην Αθήνα – to Athens / in Athens (movement or location, still accusative)

So κουζίνα is accusative (την κουζίνα → στην κουζίνα) simply because σε governs the accusative in modern usage, not because of a movement/location distinction.

What tense and voice is καθαρίζεται, and how would you translate it?

καθαρίζεται is:

• Present tense
• Middle–passive voice
• 3rd person singular

From the verb καθαρίζω (“to clean”):

• Active: καθαρίζω – I clean
• Passive: καθαρίζομαι / καθαρίζεται – I am cleaned / it is cleaned

So Το πάτωμα … καθαρίζεται = “The floor is cleaned / is being cleaned.”

Does καθαρίζεται mean “is cleaned (regularly)” or “is being cleaned (right now)”?

The Greek present tense can cover both meanings:

• Habitual / general:
  
  • Το πάτωμα στην κουζίνα καθαρίζεται με το σφουγγάρι.
    → “The floor in the kitchen is (usually/regularly) cleaned with the sponge.”
• Right now / progressive, if the context makes that clear:
  
  • In the right context it can also mean “is being cleaned now.”

Greek doesn’t distinguish simple vs continuous forms the way English does; context tells you which reading is intended.

How would you say this sentence in active voice?

A natural active version would be:

• Κάποιος καθαρίζει το πάτωμα στην κουζίνα με το σφουγγάρι.
  → “Someone cleans the floor in the kitchen with the sponge.”

If you want to name the person:

• Η Μαρία καθαρίζει το πάτωμα στην κουζίνα με το σφουγγάρι.
  → “Maria cleans the floor in the kitchen with the sponge.”

What does με το σφουγγάρι mean exactly, and why is με used?

με το σφουγγάρι means “with the sponge” (using the sponge as an instrument/tool).

• με = “with,” and here it introduces the instrument used for the action.
• το σφουγγάρι = “the sponge” (neuter, accusative singular).

Greek expresses the “with + tool” idea using με + accusative:

• με το σφουγγάρι – with the sponge
• με το ψαλίδι – with the scissors

Why is it το σφουγγάρι and not just σφουγγάρι, since English often drops “the”?

Greek uses the definite article much more than English:

• English: “He cleaned the floor with a sponge.” (no article before “sponge” or using “a”)
• Greek usually: με το σφουγγάρι (“with the sponge”).

Here, το σφουγγάρι suggests a specific tool (e.g. the one you normally use for that floor).
You can say με σφουγγάρι without the article, but it sounds more like “with some sponge / with a sponge (in general).” In everyday speech, με το σφουγγάρι is more common and natural.

What are the genders of πάτωμα, κουζίνα, and σφουγγάρι, and how can I tell?

• το πάτωμα – neuter
  
  • Common neuter endings: -μα, -ι, -ο (with many exceptions, but -μα is very often neuter).
• η κουζίνα – feminine
  
  • Many feminine nouns end in -α or -η (again, not a strict rule but a strong pattern).
• το σφουγγάρι – neuter
  
  • Ends in -ι, also a frequent neuter ending.

The article helps you learn and remember gender:

• το πάτωμα, το σφουγγάρι → neuter
• η κουζίνα, την κουζίνα → feminine

Can the word order change? For example, can I say Στην κουζίνα το πάτωμα καθαρίζεται με το σφουγγάρι?

Yes. Greek word order is relatively flexible. All of these are acceptable, with slightly different emphasis:

• Το πάτωμα στην κουζίνα καθαρίζεται με το σφουγγάρι.
  (Neutral: “The floor in the kitchen is cleaned with the sponge.”)

• Στην κουζίνα το πάτωμα καθαρίζεται με το σφουγγάρι.
  (Emphasis on the place: In the kitchen, the floor is cleaned with the sponge.)

• Το πάτωμα καθαρίζεται στην κουζίνα με το σφουγγάρι.
  (Still okay; a bit less common, but understood the same.)

The basic meaning stays the same; the fronted element usually gets extra emphasis.

Is there an “it” subject in Greek like in English (“It is cleaned”)?

No explicit “it” is needed in Greek:

• English: It is cleaned with the sponge.
• Greek: Καθαρίζεται με το σφουγγάρι.

In Greek, the verb ending already shows the person/number (here, 3rd singular). If the subject is clear from context, it can be dropped:

• If you already know you’re talking about το πάτωμα, you can just say:
  
  • Καθαρίζεται με το σφουγγάρι. – “It is (being) cleaned with the sponge.”

In the full sentence, Το πάτωμα is the explicit subject, so no separate pronoun like “it” is used.