Βάζω τσάι σε μεγάλη κούπα όταν κάνει κρύο, αλλά ο αδερφός μου προτιμά καφέ.

I put tea in a big mug when it is cold, but my brother prefers coffee.

Breakdown of Βάζω τσάι σε μεγάλη κούπα όταν κάνει κρύο, αλλά ο αδερφός μου προτιμά καφέ.

• το τσάι: the tea
• ο καφές: the coffee
• μου: my
• αλλά: but

Questions & Answers about Βάζω τσάι σε μεγάλη κούπα όταν κάνει κρύο, αλλά ο αδερφός μου προτιμά καφέ.

What form is βάζω, and what does it tell me about the subject?

βάζω is the 1st person singular, present tense form of the verb βάζω.

So it means I put / I place / I pour depending on context.

The ending -ω is a very common present-tense ending for I in Greek.
Because the verb ending already shows the subject, Greek does not need a separate word for I here.

So:

• βάζω = I put
• not necessarily εγώ βάζω, unless you want extra emphasis on I

Why is βάζω used here? Does it literally mean put?

Yes, βάζω literally means put, place, or set, but in everyday Greek it is also used in very natural ways where English might say:

• pour
• make
• serve
• put into

In Βάζω τσάι σε μεγάλη κούπα, the idea is something like:

• I put/pour tea into a big mug

So this is a normal Greek way to describe preparing or serving tea into a mug.

Why is there no article before τσάι?