Δεν μου αρέσει η κέτσαπ στο σουβλάκι, προτιμώ τη μουστάρδα.

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Breakdown of Δεν μου αρέσει η κέτσαπ στο σουβλάκι, προτιμώ τη μουστάρδα.

• μου: me
• σε: on
• προτιμάω: to prefer

Questions & Answers about Δεν μου αρέσει η κέτσαπ στο σουβλάκι, προτιμώ τη μουστάρδα.

Why is it Δεν μου αρέσει for I don’t like, instead of a verb that literally means I don’t like?

In Greek, μου αρέσει literally means it is pleasing to me.

So the structure is different from English:

• μου = to me
• αρέσει = pleases / is pleasing

That means:

• Δεν μου αρέσει η κέτσαπ = Ketchup is not pleasing to me = I don’t like ketchup

This is one of the most important patterns in Greek. Compare:

• Μου αρέσει ο καφές. = I like coffee.
• Μου αρέσουν τα φρούτα. = I like fruit / fruits.

So Greek often expresses liking as something that pleases you, rather than something you actively do.

What exactly does μου mean here?

μου is the weak form of εγώ in the sense of to me / my, depending on context. Here it means to me.

In this sentence:

• Δεν μου αρέσει... = ...is not pleasing to me

So μου is an indirect object pronoun.

A few similar forms are:

• μου = to me
• σου = to you
• του / της = to him / her
• μας = to us
• σας = to you (plural/formal)
• τους = to them

Example:

• Σου αρέσει η μουστάρδα; = Do you like mustard?

Why is the verb singular?