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Βγάζω τον λεκέ από το παντελόνι με λίγο απορρυπαντικό.

Βγάζω τον λεκέ από το παντελόνι με λίγο απορρυπαντικό.
I remove the stain from the pants with a little detergent.
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Questions & Answers about Βγάζω τον λεκέ από το παντελόνι με λίγο απορρυπαντικό.

What tense is Βγάζω and what does that imply?

Βγάζω is present tense, 1st person singular: I remove / I’m removing. In Greek, the present can describe:

  • something happening right now (I’m taking it out),
  • or a general/habitual action (This is how I remove stains).
Why is the verb βγάζω used for a stain—does it literally mean “take out”?

Yes. βγάζω basically means take out / get out / remove. Greek commonly uses it for stains: βγάζω τον λεκέ = get the stain out. Other options exist (e.g., αφαιρώ = remove, more formal), but βγάζω is very natural here.

Why do we say τον λεκέ and not ο λεκές?

Because τον λεκέ is the direct object, so it’s in the accusative case.

  • Nominative (subject): ο λεκές = the stain
  • Accusative (object): τον λεκέ = the stain (as what you remove)
Why does λεκές change to λεκέ?

It’s a regular case ending change for many masculine nouns:

  • ο λεκές (nominative singular)
  • τον λεκέ (accusative singular)

So the ending -ές often becomes -έ in the accusative singular.

What gender is λεκές, and how can I tell?

λεκές is masculine, shown by the article:

  • ο (masculine nominative)
  • τον (masculine accusative)

Articles are your best “gender signal” in Greek.

Why is it από το παντελόνι—what does από mean here?

από means from / out of. With stains, Greek often frames it as removing something from a surface/garment:

  • Βγάζω τον λεκέ από το παντελόνι = I remove the stain from the trousers/pants.
What case comes after από?

In Modern Greek, από takes the accusative:

  • από το παντελόνι
  • από τον καναπέ
  • από την μπλούζα
Why is it το παντελόνι (neuter)? Isn’t “pants” plural in English?

Greek παντελόνι is typically neuter singular for the clothing item:

  • το παντελόνι = the pants/trousers (as one item)

Plural exists (τα παντελόνια) if you mean multiple pairs.

What does με λίγο απορρυπαντικό mean exactly—“with” or “using”?

Both are correct in English. Greek με + accusative often expresses means/instrument:

  • με λίγο απορρυπαντικό = with / using a little detergent

So it’s describing how you remove the stain.

Why is it λίγο and not λίγη or λίγος?

Because απορρυπαντικό is neuter, and λίγο agrees with it (neuter form). Also, detergent is often treated as an uncountable substance, so λίγο απορρυπαντικό = a little detergent.

Why is there no article before απορρυπαντικό?

Greek often omits the article when talking about an unspecified amount of a substance:

  • λίγο απορρυπαντικό = some/a little detergent (not a specific one)

You could add an article in some contexts (e.g., if it’s specific), but it’s not needed here.

How would I say it for a completed, one-time action (“I got the stain out”)?

You’d typically use the aorist:

  • Έβγαλα τον λεκέ από το παντελόνι με λίγο απορρυπαντικό. = I got the stain out… / I removed the stain…