Η φίλη μου γελάει και λέει: «Λοιπόν, θα πάρεις και χαρτομάντιλα ή μόνο χαρτί υγείας;»

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Breakdown of Η φίλη μου γελάει και λέει: «Λοιπόν, θα πάρεις και χαρτομάντιλα ή μόνο χαρτί υγείας;»

• και: and
• η φίλη: the female friend
• μου: my

Questions & Answers about Η φίλη μου γελάει και λέει: «Λοιπόν, θα πάρεις και χαρτομάντιλα ή μόνο χαρτί υγείας;»

Why does it say Η φίλη μου and not just φίλη μου?

Η is the feminine singular definite article (the). Η φίλη μου literally means my (female) friend / the friend of mine. Greek normally uses the article with many everyday nouns where English often omits it.

What exactly does μου do in Η φίλη μου? Why isn’t it η μου φίλη?

μου is a weak (clitic) form meaning my. With nouns, it typically comes after the noun: η φίλη μου.
η μου φίλη is possible but has a different, more emphatic/contrastive feel and is less neutral in everyday speech.

Is γελάει present tense? Why not γελά?

Yes, γελάει = (she) laughs / is laughing (present).
γελά is also correct and common; it’s essentially an alternate present form. Many verbs in -άω / -ώ have two everyday options (shorter vs. -άει/-εί forms), and choice often depends on style and dialect.

Why is there no word for she? How do we know who is laughing and speaking?

Greek is a “pro-drop” language: subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb ending shows the person/number. Here, γελάει and λέει are 3rd person singular, and the subject is understood from context: Η φίλη μου.