Η τιμή είναι καλή σήμερα.

to be

Breakdown of Η τιμή είναι καλή σήμερα.

• σήμερα: today
• καλός: good
• η τιμή: the price

Questions & Answers about Η τιμή είναι καλή σήμερα.

Why do we need the article Η before τιμή? In English we can just say “Price is good today” without the.

In Greek you normally use the definite article much more than in English:

• Η τιμή = the price
• Saying just τιμή είναι καλή (without η) is ungrammatical here.

Greek tends to use the article with:

• Abstract nouns: η αγάπη (love), η υγεία (health)
• General / specific things: η τιμή (the price [we’re talking about])

So where English often drops the, Greek usually keeps η/ο/το.

Why is the article Η and not something else like Ο or ΤΟ?

Greek nouns have grammatical gender: masculine, feminine, or neuter.

• τιμή is a feminine noun.
• The feminine singular nominative article is η.
• Masculine would use ο (e.g. ο φίλος – the friend [m.])
• Neuter would use το (e.g. το βιβλίο – the book)

So:

• η τιμή = the price (feminine)
  and the article must match the noun’s gender.

Why is the adjective καλή and not καλός or καλό?