Στη σαλάτα βάζω σπανάκι, λάχανο και λίγο καλαμπόκι.

Στη is the normal contracted form of σε + τη(ν).

So:

• σε + τη σαλάτα → στη σαλάτα

In Modern Greek, this contraction is standard and very common:

• στο = σε + το
• στη = σε + τη
• στην = σε + την

Here we get στη σαλάτα because σαλάτα starts with σ, so the form without final -ν is used.

It is in the accusative singular.

The preposition σε normally takes the accusative, so:

• η σαλάτα = nominative, the salad
• τη σαλάτα / στη σαλάτα = accusative, the salad after a preposition

For many feminine nouns ending in -α, the nominative and accusative singular look the same in the noun itself. The article helps show the case.

It can cover both ideas, because Greek σε is broader than English in / into / to.

With βάζω (I put), στη σαλάτα usually means something like:

• in the salad
• into the salad

In natural English, the best translation depends on context, but the Greek is completely normal.

Greek word order is more flexible than English word order.

Starting with Στη σαλάτα puts the focus first on the setting or topic: as for the salad / in the salad. It sounds natural and emphasizes where the ingredients are going.

A more neutral order would also be possible:

• Βάζω σπανάκι, λάχανο και λίγο καλαμπόκι στη σαλάτα.

Both are correct, but the original sentence highlights the salad first.

Βάζω literally means I put, but in food contexts it often means:

• I put
• I add
• I use

So in this sentence, βάζω is the everyday natural verb for adding ingredients.

Also, it is:

• present tense
• first person singular

So it can mean:

• I put
• I am putting
• I usually put

The exact English wording depends on context, because Greek present tense can cover both habitual and ongoing actions.

Because the speaker is listing ingredients in a general, indefinite way.

In Greek, when you name ingredients or substances, it is very common to leave out the article:

• βάζω σπανάκι
• βάζω λάχανο
• βάζω καλαμπόκι

This is similar to English saying:

• I add spinach
• I add cabbage
• I add corn

If you used articles, it could sound more specific, like talking about particular spinach or a known quantity already mentioned.

Because καλαμπόκι is a neuter singular noun, and λίγος / λίγη / λίγο agrees with the noun.

So:

• λίγος = masculine
• λίγη = feminine
• λίγο = neuter

Since καλαμπόκι is neuter, we say:

• λίγο καλαμπόκι = a little corn / some corn

Compare:

• λίγος καφές = a little coffee
• λίγη ζάχαρη = a little sugar
• λίγο νερό = a little water

Yes. They are singular, but they are being used as mass nouns or ingredient nouns.

That means Greek is treating them as substances or food types, not as countable individual items.

So:

• σπανάκι = spinach
• λάχανο = cabbage
• καλαμπόκι = corn

This is very similar to English, where we also often use singular uncountable nouns for food ingredients.

They are in the accusative, because they are the direct objects of βάζω.

The speaker is putting what into the salad?

• σπανάκι
• λάχανο
• λίγο καλαμπόκι

These are the things being added, so they are direct objects.

However, all three are neuter singular, and for neuter nouns the nominative and accusative forms are usually the same. So the form does not visibly change here.

Because λίγο is quantifying the noun: a little corn / some corn.

In Greek, quantity words like this normally come before the noun:

• λίγο καλαμπόκι
• πολύ νερό
• αρκετή ζάχαρη

Putting λίγο after the noun would usually sound unnatural in a normal sentence like this.

Yes, but the tone changes slightly.

• βάζω = everyday, very common, natural in speech
• προσθέτω = more explicitly add, and can sound a bit more formal or deliberate

So:

• Στη σαλάτα βάζω... sounds very natural in everyday Greek.
• Στη σαλάτα προσθέτω... is also correct, but a bit more formal or recipe-like.

A simple pronunciation guide is:

Sti sa-LA-ta VA-zo spa-NA-ki, LA-ha-no ke LI-go ka-lam-BO-ki.

A few helpful points:

• σπ in σπανάκι sounds like sp in spin
• χ in λάχανο is a rough throat sound, not like English h
• μπ in καλαμπόκι is pronounced like b or sometimes mb, depending on the speaker
• The written accent shows which syllable is stressed:
  • σαλάτα
  • βάζω
  • σπανάκι
  • λάχανο
  • λίγο
  • καλαμπόκι