Η φίλη μου ξέχασε το τάπερ της στο ψυγείο του γραφείου.

My friend forgot her container in the office fridge.

Breakdown of Η φίλη μου ξέχασε το τάπερ της στο ψυγείο του γραφείου.

• η φίλη: the female friend
• μου: my
• το γραφείο: the office
• σε: in

Questions & Answers about Η φίλη μου ξέχασε το τάπερ της στο ψυγείο του γραφείου.

Why does Greek use the article in η φίλη μου?

In Greek, it is very normal to say article + noun + possessive, so:

• η φίλη μου = my friend
• literally, something like the friend of mine

Unlike English, Greek usually keeps the definite article in this kind of phrase. So η φίλη μου is the standard way to say my friend.

What exactly is μου here?

μου is the weak genitive form of εγώ (I / me), and in this sentence it means my.

So:

• η φίλη μου = my friend

Greek often uses these short genitive pronouns after the noun:

• μου = my
• σου = your
• του / της = his / her / its
• μας = our
• σας = your
• τους = their

They come after the noun much more often than English speakers expect.

Why do we have both μου and της in the same sentence?

Because they refer to two different possessors:

• η φίλη μου = my friend
• το τάπερ της = her container

So the sentence talks about:

1. my friend
2. her container

In context, της most likely refers back to my friend, so the idea is that my friend forgot her container.