Η κόρη της φίλης μου θέλει ροζ σορτς το καλοκαίρι, αλλά ο γιος της προτιμάει μπλε.

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Breakdown of Η κόρη της φίλης μου θέλει ροζ σορτς το καλοκαίρι, αλλά ο γιος της προτιμάει μπλε.

• η φίλη: the female friend
• μου: my
• αλλά: but

Questions & Answers about Η κόρη της φίλης μου θέλει ροζ σορτς το καλοκαίρι, αλλά ο γιος της προτιμάει μπλε.

What do η and ο mean, and why are they used here?

They are the definite articles the.

• η κόρη = the daughter
• ο γιος = the son

Greek uses definite articles very often, including with people and family members in normal statements. So where English might sometimes focus on the possessive idea, Greek still naturally says the daughter, the son, etc.

Also, the form of the article changes with gender, number, and case:

• η = feminine singular nominative
• ο = masculine singular nominative

That matches:

• κόρη = feminine
• γιος = masculine

Why is it της φίλης μου instead of something like η φίλη μου?

Because this part means of my friend, not my friend as the subject.

Greek often expresses possession with the genitive, where English often uses of or the apostrophe 's.

So:

• η φίλη μου = my friend
• της φίλης μου = of my friend

That is why:

• η κόρη της φίλης μου literally = the daughter of my friend

This is the Greek way to say my friend's daughter.

Why does της appear twice? Does it mean the same thing both times?