Γράφω τις καινούριες εκφράσεις στο τετράδιό μου για να τις θυμάμαι.

I write the new expressions in my notebook so that I remember them.

Breakdown of Γράφω τις καινούριες εκφράσεις στο τετράδιό μου για να τις θυμάμαι.

• μου: my
• σε: in
• γράφω: to write
• για να: so that

Questions & Answers about Γράφω τις καινούριες εκφράσεις στο τετράδιό μου για να τις θυμάμαι.

What is the function of τις in τις καινούριες εκφράσεις? Why do we need it?

Τις here is the definite article in the accusative feminine plural form, agreeing with εκφράσεις (expressions), which is also feminine plural accusative.

So:

• τις = the (feminine, plural, accusative)
• καινούριες = new (feminine, plural, accusative)
• εκφράσεις = expressions (feminine, plural, accusative)

You need the article because in Greek, definite nouns almost always take the article, even when in English you might be tempted to drop “the”. Here it’s simply “the new expressions”.

Why is τις used again in για να τις θυμάμαι? Isn’t that repeating it?

The second τις is not an article this time; it is a weak object pronoun meaning “them”.

• First τις: the article — τις καινούριες εκφράσεις = the new expressions
• Second τις: pronoun — για να τις θυμάμαι = so that I remember them

Greek often repeats the reference with a pronoun even when the noun has just been mentioned. English normally avoids that repetition, but in Greek it’s very natural and often preferred.

Could I omit the second τις and just say για να θυμάμαι?