Learn Hardcore Greek: Μερικές φορές η φθηνή μάρκα είναι πιο κατάλληλη για την καθημερινή ζωή. - Sometimes the cheap brand is more suitable for everyday life.

In Greek, the article and the adjective must match the noun in gender, number, and case. Since μάρκα is a feminine noun used as the subject, everything is nominative feminine singular: η φθηνή μάρκα.

Why is it μερικές φορές (plural) and not something singular?

Literally, μερικές φορές means “some times” (i.e. several occasions). It’s a fixed expression that means “sometimes”.

μερικές = “some,” feminine plural, agreeing with φορές
φορές = “times,” feminine plural of φορά

So grammatically it is: μερικές (some) φορές (times). Even though English uses a single word sometimes, Greek keeps the phrase as “some times.”

What’s the difference between φθηνή and φτηνή? Which one should I use?

They are just two accepted spellings of the same word: “cheap.”

φθηνή – more traditional, etymological spelling
φτηνή – more phonetic spelling, also very common

Both are standard in modern Greek. You can use either; you’ll see φθηνή more in formal writing and φτηνή very often in everyday usage. Pronunciation is the same in contemporary speech: [fti-NI] (with the stress on the last syllable).

How does πιο κατάλληλη work grammatically? Is this the comparative form?

Yes. πιο κατάλληλη is the comparative of the adjective κατάλληλη (“suitable, appropriate”).

Greek regularly forms the comparative with πιο + adjective:

κατάλληλη = suitable
πιο κατάλληλη = more suitable

Here κατάλληλη is feminine singular, agreeing with μάρκα, so the full phrase is:

η φθηνή μάρκα είναι πιο κατάλληλη
“the cheap brand is more suitable”

The πιο doesn’t change; only the adjective agrees in gender/number/case with the noun.

Could we say καταλληλότερη instead of πιο κατάλληλη? Is there a difference?

You can say both:

πιο κατάλληλη
καταλληλότερη

They are both comparative forms and both correct.
καταλληλότερη feels a bit heavier/more formal or emphatic, while πιο κατάλληλη is more neutral and common in everyday speech.

In many contexts they’re interchangeable, but πιο + adjective is generally the safer, more natural choice for learners.

Why is it για την καθημερινή ζωή and not something like στην καθημερινή ζωή?

Both για την καθημερινή ζωή and στην καθημερινή ζωή are possible, but they mean slightly different things:

για την καθημερινή ζωή = for everyday life
Emphasizes purpose/use (“suitable for everyday life”).
στην καθημερινή ζωή = in everyday life
Emphasizes location/context (“in the context of everyday life”).

In this sentence we’re talking about what the cheap brand is suitable for, so για (“for”) + accusative (την καθημερινή ζωή) is the natural preposition.

What case and gender are την καθημερινή ζωή, and how do the words agree?

την καθημερινή ζωή is accusative feminine singular.

ζωή = noun, feminine, singular, accusative
την = definite article, feminine, singular, accusative
καθημερινή = adjective (“everyday, daily”), feminine, singular, accusative, agreeing with ζωή

So everything is accusative feminine singular because it is the object of the preposition για (“for”): για + accusative.

Could we say για καθημερινή ζωή without την? Is the article necessary?

You can drop the article and say:

για καθημερινή ζωή

This sounds a bit more general or abstract, like “for everyday life in general.”

With the article:

για την καθημερινή ζωή

it sounds more like “for the everyday life (that we live / that people have)” — a bit more concrete and natural in this context.

Both are grammatically correct, but για την καθημερινή ζωή is a very common, idiomatic phrase.

Can the word order change? For example, can I move μερικές φορές or για την καθημερινή ζωή?

Yes, Greek word order is fairly flexible, and these are possible:

Η φθηνή μάρκα είναι, μερικές φορές, πιο κατάλληλη για την καθημερινή ζωή.
Μερικές φορές, για την καθημερινή ζωή, η φθηνή μάρκα είναι πιο κατάλληλη.
Η φθηνή μάρκα, για την καθημερινή ζωή, είναι μερικές φορές πιο κατάλληλη.

The basic, neutral structure is the original:

Μερικές φορές η φθηνή μάρκα είναι πιο κατάλληλη για την καθημερινή ζωή.

Moving phrases mainly changes emphasis or rhythm, but the core meaning stays the same.

What’s the difference between μάρκα and other words for “brand” in Greek, like εταιρεία?

μάρκα = brand as a product name / label (e.g. “this shampoo brand”)
εταιρεία = company, firm (the business itself)

So:

η φθηνή μάρκα = the cheap brand (product line or label)
η φθηνή εταιρεία would sound odd; you’d more likely say φθηνή εταιρεία κινητής τηλεφωνίας (“cheap mobile phone company”) if you mean a provider that’s cheap.

In this sentence, we’re comparing brands of products, so μάρκα is the right choice.

How would I make η φθηνή μάρκα plural (“the cheap brands”)?

You change the article, adjective, and noun to feminine plural nominative:

Singular: η φθηνή μάρκα είναι πιο κατάλληλη…
Plural: οι φθηνές μάρκες είναι πιο κατάλληλες για την καθημερινή ζωή.

Changes:

η → οι (feminine singular → feminine plural article)
φθηνή → φθηνές (adjective to feminine plural)
μάρκα → μάρκες (noun to feminine plural)
πιο κατάλληλη → πιο κατάλληλες (adjective to feminine plural)