Breakdown of Η αδερφή μου κουβαλάει πάντα ένα μπουκαλάκι νερό και ένα μικρό σημειωματάριο στην τσάντα της.
το νερό
the water
και
and
μου
my
ένα
one
Questions & Answers about Η αδερφή μου κουβαλάει πάντα ένα μπουκαλάκι νερό και ένα μικρό σημειωματάριο στην τσάντα της.
Why is it Η αδερφή μου and not μου η αδερφή?
In Greek, the most natural order here is:
- η αδερφή μου = my sister
The possessive word μου usually comes after the noun:
- η αδερφή μου = my sister
- η τσάντα μου = my bag
- το βιβλίο μου = my book
Greek can sometimes move words around for emphasis, but η αδερφή μου is the normal, neutral way to say it.
Why is it spelled αδερφή? I’ve also seen αδελφή.
Both exist.
- αδερφή is the very common everyday Modern Greek form.
- αδελφή is more formal or traditional.
So in normal speech, η αδερφή μου is completely natural and very common.
Why does the sentence use κουβαλάει? Could it also be κουβαλά?
Yes. Both are correct.
- κουβαλάει
- κουβαλά
These are two common present-tense forms of the verb κουβαλάω = to carry.
So:
- Η αδερφή μου κουβαλάει...
- Η αδερφή μου κουβαλά...
both mean the same thing here.
κουβαλάει may sound a little fuller or slightly more careful, while κουβαλά is also very common in everyday speech.