Breakdown of Πρώτα βάζω χώμα στη γλάστρα και μετά ρίχνω λίγο νερό.
το νερό
the water
λίγος
little
και
and
μετά
then
Questions & Answers about Πρώτα βάζω χώμα στη γλάστρα και μετά ρίχνω λίγο νερό.
Why does the sentence start with Πρώτα?
Πρώτα means first. It sets the sequence of actions right away:
- Πρώτα = first
- μετά = then / afterwards
Greek often puts time words like these near the beginning of the clause for clarity. So Πρώτα βάζω... και μετά ρίχνω... is a very natural way to say First I put... and then I pour...
What tense are βάζω and ρίχνω?
Both are in the present tense, first person singular:
- βάζω = I put
- ρίχνω = I pour / I throw / I add, depending on context
Even though they are present forms, Greek often uses the present for:
- describing a process
- giving instructions
- narrating steps in order
So here it sounds like someone is describing what they do: First I put soil in the pot, then I pour a little water.
Why is it βάζω in the first part but ρίχνω in the second part? Don’t they both mean put?