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Αν το μαλακτικό τελειώσει, θα αγοράσω άλλο μετά τη δουλειά.

Αν το μαλακτικό τελειώσει, θα αγοράσω άλλο μετά τη δουλειά.
If the fabric softener runs out, I’ll buy another one after work.

Breakdown of Αν το μαλακτικό τελειώσει, θα αγοράσω άλλο μετά τη δουλειά.

η δουλειά
the work
θα
will
αγοράζω
to buy
αν
if
μετά
after
άλλος
another
το μαλακτικό
the fabric softener
τελειώνω
to run out
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Questions & Answers about Αν το μαλακτικό τελειώσει, θα αγοράσω άλλο μετά τη δουλειά.

Why does the sentence start with Αν? Is it the same as “if”?

Yes. Αν means if and introduces a condition. Here it sets up a real/possible future condition: If the fabric softener runs out…

Why is it Αν ... τελειώσει and not Αν ... τελειώνει?

Because after Αν (in this kind of future condition), Greek typically uses the subjunctive with perfective aspect to talk about a possible event that may happen.

  • τελειώσει = aorist subjunctive (perfective): (if it) runs out / finishes (completely)
  • τελειώνει = present indicative (imperfective): would sound like it is running out / it finishes (habitually) and doesn’t fit this “if it happens (in the future)” pattern as well.

A very common structure is:

  • Αν + subjunctive, θα + future
What exactly is τελειώσει grammatically?

τελειώσει is the aorist subjunctive, 3rd person singular, of the verb τελειώνω (to finish / run out).
It’s formed with the “aorist stem” (τελειώσ-) plus subjunctive ending: τελειώσ-ει.

Why is there θα in θα αγοράσω?

θα is the standard particle used to form the future (and related meanings).
So θα αγοράσω means I will buy.

In this conditional sentence, it pairs naturally with Αν:

  • Αν ... , θα ... = If ..., I will ...
Why does Greek omit I? There’s no εγώ.

Greek often drops subject pronouns because the verb ending already shows the person/number.

  • αγοράσω = (I) will buy
    You’d add εγώ only for emphasis/contrast (e.g., “I will buy it, not you”).
What does το μαλακτικό mean exactly? Is it always “fabric softener”?

το μαλακτικό literally means the softener/conditioner. In everyday Greek it commonly refers to:

  • fabric softener (laundry)
  • sometimes hair conditioner in context

If the context is laundry, μαλακτικό (ρούχων) is fabric softener.

Why is it το μαλακτικό (neuter)? And why does άλλο also look neuter?

μαλακτικό is a neuter noun, so it takes the neuter article το.
Then άλλο agrees with it in gender/number/case and stands for “another (one)”:

  • θα αγοράσω άλλο = I’ll buy another (one)
    Implicitly: άλλο μαλακτικό.
Why is it άλλο and not άλλον / άλλη?

Because it refers back to το μαλακτικό (neuter singular).
Agreement:

  • neuter: άλλο
  • masculine: άλλον (or άλλο in some positions, but not here)
  • feminine: άλλη

Here, “another” = another softener, so neuter άλλο.

Does θα αγοράσω άλλο mean “I’ll buy a different one” or “I’ll buy another one”?

Most naturally: I’ll buy another one (more of it / a new one).
Depending on context, άλλο can also imply a different one, but here the default reading is simply replacing it because it ran out.

If you really want to stress “a different kind/brand,” you might add something like διαφορετικό:

  • θα αγοράσω ένα διαφορετικό = I’ll buy a different one.
Why is it μετά τη δουλειά and not μετά η δουλειά?

Because μετά as a preposition normally takes the accusative case when it means after.

  • nominative: η δουλειά (subject form)
  • accusative: τη δουλειά

So μετά τη δουλειά = after work.

Is μετά here “after” or “later”?

In μετά τη δουλειά, it means after (after work).
Greek can also use μετά on its own to mean later:

  • Θα πάω μετά. = I’ll go later.

But with a noun phrase like τη δουλειά, it’s clearly after.

Why is there a comma after τελειώσει?

It separates the if-clause from the main clause, just like in English:

  • If it runs out, I’ll buy another one after work.

In Greek it’s common (and recommended) to use the comma in this structure.

Could the word order change? For example, can μετά τη δουλειά go earlier?

Yes, Greek word order is flexible. These are all natural with slightly different emphasis:

  • Αν το μαλακτικό τελειώσει, θα αγοράσω άλλο μετά τη δουλειά. (neutral)
  • Αν το μαλακτικό τελειώσει, μετά τη δουλειά θα αγοράσω άλλο. (emphasis on “after work”)
  • Μετά τη δουλειά, αν το μαλακτικό τελειώσει, θα αγοράσω άλλο. (sets the time frame first)
Is αγοράσω the only choice for “buy,” or could I use another verb?

αγοράζω is the standard verb for buy. Another common option is παίρνω (literally “take/get”), which is often used in shopping contexts:

  • Αν το μαλακτικό τελειώσει, θα πάρω άλλο μετά τη δουλειά. = If it runs out, I’ll get another one after work.

Both are correct; αγοράσω is more explicitly “buy.”