Η μαμά μου δεν βάζει πολλά μπαχαρικά στο μοσχάρι, αλλά ο μπαμπάς μου θέλει δυνατή γεύση.

to want

Breakdown of Η μαμά μου δεν βάζει πολλά μπαχαρικά στο μοσχάρι, αλλά ο μπαμπάς μου θέλει δυνατή γεύση.

• δεν: not
• μου: my
• αλλά: but

Questions & Answers about Η μαμά μου δεν βάζει πολλά μπαχαρικά στο μοσχάρι, αλλά ο μπαμπάς μου θέλει δυνατή γεύση.

Why does Greek use η in η μαμά μου and ο in ο μπαμπάς μου?

These are the definite articles in Greek, and they show gender, number, and case.

• η = feminine singular
• ο = masculine singular
• το = neuter singular

So:

• η μαμά μου = my mom
• ο μπαμπάς μου = my dad

Greek uses the article much more often than English does, even with family words.

Why is μου after the noun instead of before it?

In Greek, the weak possessive form μου usually comes after the noun.

• η μαμά μου = my mom
• ο μπαμπάς μου = my dad
• το σπίτι μου = my house

So English says my mom, but Greek usually says the equivalent of the mom my.

How does δεν βάζει mean doesn’t put/add without a word like do?

Greek does not use an auxiliary verb like English do for negation.

• δεν = not
• βάζει = puts / adds

So:

• δεν βάζει = she doesn’t put / she doesn’t add

The negative word δεν goes directly before the verb.

Why is the verb βάζει here?