Breakdown of Πάτα το φρένο, γιατί ο δρόμος είναι βρεγμένος.
είμαι
to be
γιατί
because
ο δρόμος
the road
πατάω
to press
Questions & Answers about Πάτα το φρένο, γιατί ο δρόμος είναι βρεγμένος.
What does Πάτα mean here, and what form is it?
Πάτα is the imperative form of the verb πατάω / πατώ, which means to press or to step on.
Here it means press! or step on!
This is the singular informal command, used when speaking to one person you know well, such as a friend or family member.
- Πάτα το φρένο. = Press the brake.
- Formal or plural: Πατήστε το φρένο.
Why is it το φρένο and not just φρένο?
Greek often uses the definite article where English might not stress it as much.
So το φρένο literally means the brake, but in natural English we often translate it simply as the brake or the brakes, depending on context.
In this sentence, το φρένο refers to the brake pedal / braking action in a general, understood way. Using the article is completely normal in Greek.
- το = the for a neuter singular noun
- φρένο = brake
Is φρένο singular? Why not plural if English often says hit the brakes?