Η μαμά μου έβαλε το θερμόμετρο στο τραπέζι, για να δω αν έχω πυρετό.

to have

Breakdown of Η μαμά μου έβαλε το θερμόμετρο στο τραπέζι, για να δω αν έχω πυρετό.

• μου: my
• η μαμά: the mom
• βλέπω: to see

Questions & Answers about Η μαμά μου έβαλε το θερμόμετρο στο τραπέζι, για να δω αν έχω πυρετό.

Why is μου placed after μαμά in Η μαμά μου?

In Greek, unstressed possessive pronouns like μου (my) usually come after the noun:

• η μαμά μου = my mom
• το βιβλίο μου = my book

This is the normal Greek pattern. English says my mom, but Greek usually says literally the mom my.

Also note that Greek normally uses the definite article here:

• η μαμά μου not usually just μαμά μου in a neutral full sentence.

Why is it Η μαμά μου with η? Why is there an article before mom?

Greek uses the definite article much more often than English does. With family members plus a possessive, the article is very common and natural:

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

So even though English does not say the my mom, Greek does say the equivalent structure.

Why is the verb έβαλε used here?