Ο αδερφός μου βρήκε έναν αναπτήρα στο συρτάρι, αλλά το κερί δεν άναβε επειδή είχε πολύ αέρα.

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Breakdown of Ο αδερφός μου βρήκε έναν αναπτήρα στο συρτάρι, αλλά το κερί δεν άναβε επειδή είχε πολύ αέρα.

• έχω: to have
• δεν: not
• μου: my

Questions & Answers about Ο αδερφός μου βρήκε έναν αναπτήρα στο συρτάρι, αλλά το κερί δεν άναβε επειδή είχε πολύ αέρα.

Why is it Ο αδερφός μου and not just αδερφός μου?

In Greek, the definite article is very often used with specific people, including family members. So Ο αδερφός μου is the normal way to say my brother in a full sentence.

Also, the possessive μου comes after the noun:

• ο αδερφός μου = my brother
• not ο μου αδερφός

If you want extra emphasis, Greek can also say ο δικός μου αδερφός = my own brother / my brother.

Is αδερφός the same as αδελφός?

Yes. Both mean brother.

• αδερφός is very common in everyday Modern Greek.
• αδελφός is also correct, but can sound a bit more formal or conservative in some contexts.

So a learner should recognize both.

Why is it βρήκε here?

βρήκε is the aorist form of βρίσκω (to find), third person singular: he found.

Greek uses the aorist here because finding the lighter is seen as a completed event:

• βρήκε έναν αναπτήρα = he found a lighter

It is a single event in the story, not an ongoing action.

Why do we say έναν αναπτήρα?