Breakdown of Η φίλη μου προτιμάει φασόλια, αλλά εγώ σήμερα θέλω ρεβίθια με μαϊντανό.
θέλω
to want
εγώ
I
σήμερα
today
η φίλη
the female friend
Questions & Answers about Η φίλη μου προτιμάει φασόλια, αλλά εγώ σήμερα θέλω ρεβίθια με μαϊντανό.
Why does Greek say Η φίλη μου literally as the friend my instead of my friend?
That is the normal Greek pattern with possessive pronouns. Greek usually uses:
- the + noun + possessive
- so η φίλη μου = my friend
- το σπίτι μου = my house
- ο αδερφός σου = your brother
So although English puts my before the noun, Greek commonly puts μου after it.
Does η φίλη μου mean my female friend or my girlfriend?
It most directly means my female friend. In real life, context matters, and sometimes η φίλη μου can be understood as my girlfriend, but on its own it is often simply my friend where the friend is female.
If Greek wants to be very clear, people often use other expressions depending on the situation, such as:
- η κοπέλα μου = my girlfriend
- μια φίλη μου = a friend of mine / one of my female friends
So in this sentence, the safest reading is my female friend.
Why is there an article in Η φίλη μου? English usually says just my friend, not the my friend.