Η επιστροφή χρημάτων θα γίνει μόνο με την απόδειξη.

The refund will be done only with the receipt.

Breakdown of Η επιστροφή χρημάτων θα γίνει μόνο με την απόδειξη.

• με: with
• θα: will
• μόνο: only
• η απόδειξη: the receipt
• γίνομαι: to be done
• η επιστροφή χρημάτων: the refund

Questions & Answers about Η επιστροφή χρημάτων θα γίνει μόνο με την απόδειξη.

Why does Greek use Η at the beginning? What does it mean here?

Η is the feminine singular definite article (the). It matches επιστροφή (a feminine noun), so Η επιστροφή = the refund / the return (of money). Greek normally uses the article more often than English, especially with general policies or formal statements.

What exactly is the role of χρημάτων? Why is it in that form?

χρημάτων is the genitive plural of χρήματα (money). The genitive often shows what something is “of” / related to. So επιστροφή χρημάτων literally means return of money, i.e. refund. This “noun + genitive” pattern is extremely common in Greek (like απόδειξη αγοράς = proof/receipt of purchase).

Could I also say η επιστροφή των χρημάτων? What’s the difference?

Yes.

• η επιστροφή χρημάτων = a general, somewhat “headline/policy” style: money refunds / refund of money.
• η επιστροφή των χρημάτων (genitive with the article των) is more specific/definite: the refund of the money (often implying a particular amount already mentioned).
  In many real-life contexts both work, but the version without των sounds more like a standard rule on a sign or receipt policy.

What is θα γίνει grammatically? Why not θα είναι or θα επιστραφούν?

θα γίνει is future + passive of γίνομαι (to happen / to be done / to take place):

• θα = will
• γίνει = (it) will happen / will be done

Greek often uses γίνεται/θα γίνει in formal announcements meaning will be carried out.
Alternatives exist, with slightly different wording:

• Τα χρήματα θα επιστραφούν... = The money will be refunded... (more direct, but a bit less “policy-statement” sounding)
• θα είναι would mean will be (state/identity), not will take place / will be done, so it doesn’t fit as well here.

Why is it μόνο με την απόδειξη and not μόνο την απόδειξη?

Because με means with, and it requires its object in the accusative case. So you get:

• με + την απόδειξη = with the receipt

Without με, μόνο την απόδειξη would sound like only the receipt (as the object of some implied verb), which isn’t the intended structure here.

What case is την απόδειξη and how do I recognize it?

την απόδειξη is accusative singular feminine:

• την = the (accusative feminine singular)
• απόδειξη = receipt

You recognize it from the article την and from typical patterns: after με, Greek uses the accusative.

Does μόνο always go before the phrase it limits? Could it be placed elsewhere?

Mostly yes: μόνο usually sits right before what it restricts.

• ... μόνο με την απόδειξη = only with the receipt (only if you have it)

You can move it for emphasis, but the meaning can shift slightly:

• Μόνο με την απόδειξη θα γίνει η επιστροφή χρημάτων. (stronger emphasis on the condition)
• Η επιστροφή χρημάτων θα γίνει με την απόδειξη μόνο. (can sound a bit clipped/awkward; also more emphatic)

Why is the word order Η επιστροφή χρημάτων θα γίνει...? Is this the “normal” order?

Yes. A very common neutral order in Greek is: subject + θα + verb + other information. Here:

• Subject: Η επιστροφή χρημάτων
• Future marker: θα
• Verb: γίνει
• Condition: μόνο με την απόδειξη

Greek word order is flexible, but this is a standard formal/neutral layout.

Is απόδειξη always a “receipt”? Could it also mean “proof”?

απόδειξη can mean both proof and receipt, depending on context. In shops and refunds, it almost always means receipt. In more general contexts (law, debate, math), it can mean evidence/proof.

How would this sentence change if I wanted to say “Refunds will be made only with the receipt” in a more direct, active-ish way?

A common alternative is:

• Η επιστροφή χρημάτων θα γίνει μόνο με την απόδειξη. (original; formal, “will be carried out”)
  More direct versions include:
• Θα επιστρέφουμε χρήματα μόνο με την απόδειξη. = We will refund money only with the receipt. (store speaking as “we”)
• Τα χρήματα επιστρέφονται μόνο με την απόδειξη. = Money is refunded only with the receipt. (present passive used like a general rule)