Πρώτα βιδώνω τη βίδα στον τοίχο και μετά βάζω το ράφι.

These are time-order words:

• πρώτα = first
• μετά = then / afterwards

So the sentence is organizing the actions in sequence:

• Πρώτα βιδώνω τη βίδα... = First I screw in the screw...
• και μετά βάζω το ράφι. = and then I put the shelf on.

This is a very common way to describe steps in Greek.

Yes, they are closely related:

• η βίδα = the screw
• βιδώνω = to screw in / to fasten with a screw

So βιδώνω τη βίδα literally looks a bit like I screw the screw, which sounds repetitive in English, but it is normal in Greek.

Greek often uses a verb and noun from the same word family in a way that is completely natural.

Because τη βίδα means the screw.

Greek usually uses the definite article more often than English does. Here:

• η βίδα = the screw
• τη βίδα = the screw (accusative form, because it is the direct object)

Since the screw is the thing being screwed in, it takes the direct object form.

Because η is the subject form, while τη is the object form.

For a feminine singular noun like βίδα:

• η βίδα = the screw (subject)
• τη βίδα = the screw (object)

In this sentence, the screw is not doing the action; it is receiving the action of βιδώνω, so Greek uses τη.

στον is a contraction of:

• σε = in / on / to
• τον = the

So:

• σε τον τοίχο becomes στον τοίχο

This means into/on the wall, depending on context. With a screw, English usually says in the wall or into the wall, but Greek uses σε very naturally here.

Because τοίχος changes form depending on its role in the sentence.

• ο τοίχος = the wall (subject form)
• τον τοίχο = the wall (object form / after σε in this kind of construction)

After στον, Greek uses the accusative form, so τοίχος becomes τοίχο.

This is a very common pattern in Greek noun declension.

Greek usually leaves out the subject pronoun when it is obvious from the verb ending.

• βιδώνω already means I screw in
• βάζω already means I put

So Εγώ is not necessary.

You can add εγώ if you want emphasis, for example:

• Εγώ βιδώνω τη βίδα, όχι εσύ. = I’m screwing in the screw, not you.

But in a neutral sentence, Greek normally omits it.

Because Greek often uses the present tense to describe:

• habitual actions
• instructions
• demonstrations
• a sequence of actions happening as you explain them

So βιδώνω and βάζω can mean something like:

• I first screw in the screw and then put the shelf on
• or even First, screw in the screw and then put the shelf on, depending on context

This is very natural in spoken Greek when explaining a process.

Its basic meaning is indeed put, but βάζω is a very broad, common verb in Greek.

Depending on context, it can mean things like:

• put
• place
• install
• set
• wear
• add

Here βάζω το ράφι means something like:

• I put the shelf up
• I install the shelf
• I place the shelf on

So the exact English translation depends on the situation.

Because ράφι is a neuter noun.

Its article is:

• το ράφι = the shelf

As the direct object, neuter singular often looks the same as the dictionary form:

• το ράφι = the shelf
• βάζω το ράφι = I put the shelf on

So unlike βίδα / τη βίδα, there is no visible noun ending change here.

Greek word order is more flexible than English word order.

This sentence is very natural as:

• Πρώτα βιδώνω τη βίδα στον τοίχο και μετά βάζω το ράφι.

But Greek could also move things around for emphasis, for example:

• Τη βίδα τη βιδώνω πρώτα στον τοίχο και μετά βάζω το ράφι.
• Πρώτα στον τοίχο βιδώνω τη βίδα και μετά βάζω το ράφι.

The most neutral version is the original one. Learners should usually start with that kind of straightforward order.

A helpful rough guide is:

• βίδα ≈ VEE-tha
• βιδώνω ≈ vee-THO-no

A few key points:

• β in Modern Greek sounds like v, not like English b
• δ sounds like the th in this
• the accent mark shows which syllable is stressed:
  • βίδα → stress on βί-
  • βιδώνω → stress on -δώ-

So the stress changes between the noun and the verb.

You might be understood, but βιδώνω τη βίδα is more precise and natural.

• βάζω just means put
• βιδώνω specifically means screw in / fasten with a screw

Since a screw is being driven into the wall, βιδώνω is the better verb.

So for a learner, it is best to think:

• βάζω = general put/place
• βιδώνω = screw in

Yes, most naturally it does.

Because Greek uses the definite articles:

• τη βίδα = the screw
• το ράφι = the shelf

So the sentence sounds like it is about particular items in a known situation, for example while explaining how to install a shelf.

In practice, Greek often uses the definite article in places where English might be a little less explicit, but here the screw and the shelf is the natural interpretation.