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Θα κρατήσω το παλιό, γιατί το καινούριο δεν λειτουργεί καλά.

Θα κρατήσω το παλιό, γιατί το καινούριο δεν λειτουργεί καλά.
I will keep the old one, because the new one doesn’t work well.

Breakdown of Θα κρατήσω το παλιό, γιατί το καινούριο δεν λειτουργεί καλά.

καλά
well
δεν
not
γιατί
because
θα
will
κρατάω
to keep
το παλιό
the old one
το καινούριο
the new one
λειτουργώ
to work / to function
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Questions & Answers about Θα κρατήσω το παλιό, γιατί το καινούριο δεν λειτουργεί καλά.

What does Θα do in this sentence?

Θα is the particle that forms the future in Modern Greek. It’s used with a verb in the subjunctive form (not the “plain” present/infinitive, since Greek doesn’t use an infinitive in the same way English does).
So θα κρατήσω = I will keep.

Why is it κρατήσω and not something like κρατάω?

κρατήσω is the aorist subjunctive of κρατάω (to hold/keep). With θα, Greek chooses between:

  • θα + aorist subjunctive (e.g., θα κρατήσω) for a single, complete action: I’ll keep it (decide and keep it).
  • θα + present subjunctive (e.g., θα κρατάω) for ongoing/repeated action: I’ll be keeping/holding (regularly/for a while).

Here, the idea is a one-time decision: I’ll keep the old one.

Does κρατάω mean “hold” or “keep”? How do I know which one?

It can mean both, depending on context:

  • κρατάω = hold (physically): I’m holding the bag.
  • κρατάω = keep (choose to retain): I’ll keep the old one.

In this sentence, the contrast old vs new strongly points to keep (= not replace/return it).

Why do το παλιό and το καινούριο have το? What noun is missing?

Greek often uses the article + adjective to mean “the … one” when the noun is understood:

  • το παλιό = the old (one)
  • το καινούριο = the new (one)

The missing noun could be something like το κινητό (phone), το αυτοκίνητο (car), το μηχάνημα (device), etc.—whatever the conversation is about.

Why are they neuter (το) and not masculine (ο) or feminine (η)?

Neuter is commonly used when:

  • the item is an object and the exact noun isn’t stated, or
  • the implied noun is neuter (e.g., το τηλέφωνο, το πράγμα).

If you clearly meant a masculine or feminine noun, you’d match that gender:

  • Θα κρατήσω τον παλιό, γιατί ο καινούριος… (e.g., a masculine noun like ο υπολογιστής “computer”)
  • Θα κρατήσω την παλιά, γιατί η καινούρια… (e.g., a feminine noun like η συσκευή “device”)
What’s the difference between παλιό and καινούριο?
  • παλιός / παλιό = old (not new; possibly “previous/older”)
  • καινούριος / καινούριο = new (brand-new or newly acquired)

Greek also has νέος = “new/young,” but for “new vs old (product/item),” καινούριος is very common.

Why is γιατί used here? Is it the same as “why”?

γιατί can mean both:

  • because (as here): …, γιατί …
  • why? (a question): Γιατί; / Γιατί δεν…;

In this sentence it’s clearly because, introducing the reason.

Could I replace γιατί with επειδή?

Often yes:

  • Θα κρατήσω το παλιό, επειδή το καινούριο δεν λειτουργεί καλά.

A common nuance is:

  • επειδή can feel a bit more “neutral/straight causal”
  • γιατί can feel more conversational and is extremely common

Both are correct here.

How does negation work in δεν λειτουργεί?

δεν is the standard negation for the indicative (statements of fact):

  • δεν λειτουργεί = it doesn’t work

(With subjunctive forms you typically use μη(ν), but this clause is a factual statement, so δεν is correct.)

What tense is λειτουργεί and why?

λειτουργεί is present tense, 3rd person singular of λειτουργώ (“to function/work”).
Present is used because it describes the item’s current/general performance: the new one doesn’t work well (in general / right now).

What part of speech is καλά?

καλά is an adverb meaning well. It comes from the adjective καλός (good).
So δεν λειτουργεί καλά = doesn’t function well.

Is the comma before γιατί necessary?

It’s very common (and often recommended) to use a comma before γιατί when it introduces an explanatory reason:

  • Θα κρατήσω το παλιό, γιατί…

In informal writing you might see it omitted, but the comma is standard and helps readability.

Why isn’t the subject (I) stated?

Greek is a pro-drop language: the verb ending usually shows the subject, so pronouns are optional.
κρατήσω already implies I (1st person singular), so (εγώ) is not needed unless you want emphasis/contrast:

  • Εγώ θα κρατήσω το παλιό… = I (not someone else) will keep the old one…