Μετά το φαγητό θέλω ένα μικρό παγωτό, όχι άλλο γλυκό.

to want

Breakdown of Μετά το φαγητό θέλω ένα μικρό παγωτό, όχι άλλο γλυκό.

• όχι: not
• ένα: one
• μικρός: small

Questions & Answers about Μετά το φαγητό θέλω ένα μικρό παγωτό, όχι άλλο γλυκό.

Why is it μετά το φαγητό and not something like μετά του φαγητού?

In Modern Greek, μετά meaning after is normally followed by the accusative, so you get μετά το φαγητό.

Older or more formal Greek could use the genitive, but in everyday Modern Greek, μετά + accusative is the standard pattern.

So:

• μετά το φαγητό = after the meal / after eating

What case is το φαγητό, and why?

Το φαγητό is in the accusative singular.

That happens because the preposition μετά takes the accusative in Modern Greek. The noun φαγητό is neuter, and for many neuter nouns, the nominative and accusative singular look the same:

• nominative: το φαγητό
• accusative: το φαγητό

So even though the form does not change, its role in the sentence is accusative because it follows μετά.

Why is there no word for I before θέλω?

Greek often leaves out subject pronouns when they are not needed. The verb ending already shows who the subject is.

• θέλω = I want

So Greek does not need εγώ unless you want emphasis or contrast.

Compare:

• θέλω = I want
• εγώ θέλω = I want / I want

Why is it ένα μικρό παγωτό?