Η σερβιτόρα άφησε τον δίσκο πάνω στον πάγκο.

It follows a very common Greek pattern:

Subject + Verb + Direct Object + Place phrase

• Η σερβιτόρα = the subject
• άφησε = the verb
• τον δίσκο = the direct object
• πάνω στον πάγκο = where the object was placed

So even if the meaning is already known, this sentence is a good example of basic Greek word order.

Η is the feminine singular definite article in the nominative case, and σερβιτόρα is a feminine noun.

So:

• η σερβιτόρα = the waitress

Greek articles must agree with the noun in gender, number, and case. Since σερβιτόρα is feminine singular and is the subject of the sentence, η is the correct form.

Άφησε is the 3rd person singular aorist of αφήνω.

That means:

• dictionary form: αφήνω
• past completed action: άφησε

In this sentence, it shows a single completed action in the past. A native English speaker can think of it as roughly corresponding to left, put down, or set down, depending on context.

Because δίσκο is the direct object, not the subject.

In Greek, masculine nouns often change form in the accusative:

• nominative: ο δίσκος
• accusative: τον δίσκο

So:

• ο δίσκος = the tray, as subject
• τον δίσκο = the tray, as object

English mostly does not change nouns this way, so this is something learners often notice early.

That is a normal accusative singular pattern for many masculine nouns ending in -ος.

A very common pattern is:

• nominative singular: -ος
• accusative singular: -ο

So:

• ο δίσκος
• τον δίσκο

You will see this with many other masculine nouns too:

• ο δρόμος → τον δρόμο
• ο φίλος → τον φίλο

Here πάνω στον means on, on top of, or onto the surface of.

It is made of:

• πάνω = above / on top
• στον = onto / on / to the

Together, πάνω στον πάγκο gives the idea of something being placed on top of the counter.

In everyday Greek, this is a very natural way to express physical placement on a surface.

Στον is the contraction of σε + τον.

So:

• σε = in / at / on / to
• τον = the, masculine accusative singular
• σε τον → στον

This contraction is standard in modern Greek and is used all the time.

You will also see:

• σε τη(ν) → στη(ν)
• σε το → στο

Because after σε, modern Greek uses the accusative case, and πάγκος is a masculine noun.

So the pattern is:

• nominative: ο πάγκος
• accusative: τον πάγκο
• with σε: στον πάγκο

This is another place where English and Greek differ. English does not mark this with noun endings, but Greek does.

Yes, it could.

Η σερβιτόρα άφησε τον δίσκο στον πάγκο is also natural.

Adding πάνω makes the image a little more explicit: it stresses that the tray was placed on top of the surface.

So:

• στον πάγκο = on/at the counter
• πάνω στον πάγκο = on top of the counter, more clearly on the surface

No, Greek word order is fairly flexible.

The sentence as given is the most neutral and straightforward order:

• Η σερβιτόρα άφησε τον δίσκο πάνω στον πάγκο

But Greek can move things around for emphasis, for example:

• Τον δίσκο άφησε η σερβιτόρα πάνω στον πάγκο
• Πάνω στον πάγκο άφησε τον δίσκο η σερβιτόρα

These alternatives sound different in emphasis, but the grammar still works because the articles and noun endings show the relationships clearly.

Greek uses definite articles more often and more systematically than English.

Here we have:

• Η σερβιτόρα
• τον δίσκο
• στον πάγκο

Greek normally includes the article when talking about a specific person, specific object, or specific place. In English, article use is sometimes lighter, but in Greek these articles are very natural and usually necessary.

A helpful rough guide is:

• σερβιτόρα = ser-vee-TO-ra
• άφησε = A-fee-se
• δίσκο = THEE-sko, with δ like the th in this
• πάγκο = PAN-go, with the stress on the first syllable

Also remember that the accent mark shows which syllable is stressed:

• σερβιτόρα
• άφησε
• δίσκο
• πάγκο

Stress matters in Greek, so those accent marks are important.

That is a nuance question, and it is a good one.

• άφησε suggests left, put down, set down, often with the idea of placing something and letting go of it
• έβαλε is more generally put

In this sentence, άφησε feels very natural for placing a tray down on a counter. It gives a slight sense of setting it down rather than just putting it somewhere in a more neutral way.