Η φίλη μου αρνήθηκε να βγει απόψε, γιατί είναι πολύ κουρασμένη.

My friend refused to go out tonight, because she is very tired.

Breakdown of Η φίλη μου αρνήθηκε να βγει απόψε, γιατί είναι πολύ κουρασμένη.

• είμαι: to be
• πολύ: very
• να: to
• η φίλη: the female friend

Questions & Answers about Η φίλη μου αρνήθηκε να βγει απόψε, γιατί είναι πολύ κουρασμένη.

Why is there an article in Η φίλη μου?

In Greek, possessive expressions usually include the definite article. So η φίλη μου is the normal way to say my friend. English says my friend, but Greek usually says the equivalent of the friend of mine.

Does η φίλη μου mean my friend or my girlfriend?

It can mean either my female friend or my girlfriend, depending on context. The noun φίλη is feminine, so it refers to a female person. If the meaning shown to the learner says my friend, then that is the intended meaning here.

Why does μου come after φίλη?

Short possessive words like μου, σου, του, της usually come after the noun in Greek: η φίλη μου, το σπίτι μου, ο αδελφός της. That is the normal pattern. Greek does not usually put the equivalent of my before the noun the way English does.

Why is there no word for she in the sentence?

Greek often leaves out subject pronouns when the subject is clear from context. Here Η φίλη μου already tells you who the subject is, so Greek does not need to add αυτή. The same thing happens in γιατί είναι πολύ κουρασμένη: the subject is still understood to be the friend.