Όταν στύβω λεμόνι στη σαλάτα, η γεύση γίνεται πιο φρέσκια.

Όταν can mean when, but in a sentence like this, with the present tense, it often has the sense of whenever or when(ever).

So:

Όταν στύβω λεμόνι στη σαλάτα, η γεύση γίνεται πιο φρέσκια.
means something like:
Whenever I squeeze lemon on the salad, the taste becomes fresher.

This is a very common use in Greek for repeated or habitual actions.

Greek often uses the present tense to describe something habitual or generally true.

So στύβω here does not mean only I am squeezing right now. It can also mean:

• I squeeze
• whenever I squeeze
• when I squeeze

In this sentence, the idea is a general pattern: every time this happens, the result is the same.

Στύβω means to squeeze, especially to press something so that juice or liquid comes out.

In this sentence:

• στύβω λεμόνι = I squeeze lemon
• more naturally in English: I squeeze lemon onto the salad or I squeeze some lemon juice onto the salad

It is commonly used with fruits like lemons and oranges, and also more generally for wringing or squeezing things.

Greek often leaves out the article when speaking in a more general or indefinite way.

So στύβω λεμόνι means:

• I squeeze lemon
• I squeeze a lemon
• I squeeze some lemon

The exact English translation depends on context.

If you said στύβω το λεμόνι, that would usually mean I squeeze the lemon, referring to a specific lemon already known in the conversation.

Στη σαλάτα means into/on the salad, depending on how natural English expresses it.

It is a contraction of:

• σε = to / in / into / on
• τη = the (feminine accusative article)

So:

• σε τη σαλάτα → στη σαλάτα

This contraction is completely normal and very common in everyday Greek.

Both spellings may be seen, but στη σαλάτα is the normal modern form here.

Historically, forms like στην appear before vowels or certain consonants, but in modern standard Greek:

• στη σαλάτα is the usual choice
• στην is more commonly kept before vowels, for example στην Αθήνα

So for learners, στη σαλάτα is the form to remember.

Because the sentence is saying that the taste is what changes.

The structure is:

• Όταν στύβω λεμόνι στη σαλάτα = when I squeeze lemon on the salad
• η γεύση γίνεται πιο φρέσκια = the taste becomes fresher

So η γεύση is the thing that becomes something. That makes it the subject.

Here γίνεται means becomes.

It comes from the verb γίνομαι, which often means:

• to become
• to happen
• to be done / take place, depending on context

In this sentence:

• η γεύση γίνεται πιο φρέσκια = the taste becomes fresher

So it describes a change of state.

Γίνεται is the present tense form: it becomes / it is becoming.

Γίνει is a different form, used in other structures, often after particles like να or in certain subordinate clauses.

Here the sentence is stating a general present fact, so the present tense is correct:

• η γεύση γίνεται πιο φρέσκια = the taste becomes fresher

Πιο φρέσκια means fresher.

• πιο = more
• φρέσκια = fresh (feminine singular)

It is feminine because it agrees with η γεύση, which is a feminine singular noun.

Greek adjectives usually agree with the noun in:

• gender
• number
• case

So:

• η γεύση → feminine singular
• φρέσκια → feminine singular

In Greek, the comparative is very often formed with πιο + adjective.

So:

• φρέσκια = fresh
• πιο φρέσκια = fresher / more fresh

In natural English, fresher sounds better, but the Greek structure is literally more fresh.

This is one of the most common ways to make comparisons in Modern Greek.

Yes. Greek sometimes has synthetic comparative forms, but πιο + adjective is extremely common and often the most natural everyday choice.

So for learners, πιο φρέσκια is very useful and standard.

It is often safest to learn and use:

• πιο καλός = better
• πιο μεγάλος = bigger
• πιο φρέσκια = fresher

Greek often expresses this idea more directly than English.

στύβω λεμόνι στη σαλάτα literally looks like I squeeze lemon onto the salad, but the meaning naturally includes the idea of lemon juice.

English often says:

• I squeeze lemon onto the salad
• I squeeze some lemon juice onto the salad

Greek does not need to mention χυμό here unless the speaker wants to be especially explicit.

The word order is natural, but Greek is more flexible than English.

This sentence is:

Όταν στύβω λεμόνι στη σαλάτα, η γεύση γίνεται πιο φρέσκια.

You could change the order somewhat for emphasis, for example:

Η γεύση γίνεται πιο φρέσκια όταν στύβω λεμόνι στη σαλάτα.

That would still mean essentially the same thing:
The taste becomes fresher when I squeeze lemon on the salad.

Greek word order often changes to emphasize different parts of the sentence.

Because the sentence begins with a subordinate clause:

• Όταν στύβω λεμόνι στη σαλάτα = when/whenever I squeeze lemon on the salad

Then comes the main clause:

• η γεύση γίνεται πιο φρέσκια = the taste becomes fresher

Using a comma here is normal and helps separate the two parts clearly.

Yes, and that is probably the most natural interpretation.

Because both verbs are in the present tense, the sentence usually suggests a repeated, general situation:

Whenever I squeeze lemon on the salad, the taste becomes fresher.

If Greek wanted to focus on one specific event, the wording or context would usually make that clearer.

Yes, γεύση can mean both taste and flavor, depending on context.

In this sentence, η γεύση γίνεται πιο φρέσκια could be understood as:

• the taste becomes fresher
• the flavor becomes fresher

English may choose one or the other depending on style, but the Greek noun γεύση naturally covers this idea.