Learn Hardcore Greek: Βάζω τσάι σε μεγάλη κούπα όταν κάνει κρύο, ενώ η αδερφή μου πίνει καφέ σε μπλε κούπα. - I put tea in a big mug when it is cold, while my sister drinks coffee in a blue mug.

Word

Βάζω τσάι σε μεγάλη κούπα όταν κάνει κρύο, ενώ η αδερφή μου πίνει καφέ σε μπλε κούπα.

Meaning

I put tea in a big mug when it is cold, while my sister drinks coffee in a blue mug.

Part of speech

sentence

Pronunciation

Course

Lesson

Breakdown of Βάζω τσάι σε μεγάλη κούπα όταν κάνει κρύο, ενώ η αδερφή μου πίνει καφέ σε μπλε κούπα.

Why does βάζω mean something like I put tea in a mug? Wouldn’t Greek use a verb meaning pour or make?

Greek βάζω is very broad. It often means put, but in everyday speech it can also mean things like:

So Βάζω τσάι σε μεγάλη κούπα is a natural way to say that you put or pour tea into a big mug.

Depending on context, English might translate it more naturally as:

Greek often uses one common verb where English prefers a more specific one.

Why is there no article before τσάι and καφέ?

Because τσάι and καφέ here are being used as general, indefinite substances: tea and coffee, not the tea or the coffee.

This is very common with drinks, food, and other mass nouns.

So:

πίνω καφέ = I drink coffee
πίνω τον καφέ = I drink the coffee / I’m drinking my coffee in a specific context

In your sentence, the speaker is talking generally about what they drink/use, so no article is needed.

Why is it καφέ and not καφές?