Το καυσαέριο δεν είναι καλό για την υγεία μας.

to be

Breakdown of Το καυσαέριο δεν είναι καλό για την υγεία μας.

• δεν: not
• καλός: good
• για: for

Questions & Answers about Το καυσαέριο δεν είναι καλό για την υγεία μας.

Why is there a το before καυσαέριο? In English we say “exhaust gas is not good for our health” without “the”.

Greek uses the definite article (ο, η, το) much more often than English, especially:

• with general/abstract nouns
• when talking about things in a general sense

Here Το καυσαέριο literally is “the exhaust gas”, but in Greek that often corresponds to English generic “exhaust gas” or “exhaust fumes”.

So:

• Το καυσαέριο δεν είναι καλό… → “Exhaust gas is not good…” (generic statement)

You could also say Τα καυσαέρια (plural) to talk about exhaust fumes in general, and you would still normally keep the article: Τα καυσαέρια δεν είναι καλά…

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What gender is καυσαέριο, and how do I know from the article το?

Καυσαέριο is neuter.

In the nominative singular, the definite articles are:

• ο – masculine
• η – feminine
• το – neuter

So το καυσαέριο tells you καυσαέριο is a neuter noun. The adjective καλό also appears in the neuter form to agree with it: το (ν.) καυσαέριο (ν.) είναι καλό (ν.).

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What does καυσαέριο literally mean, and is it countable?