Ο ξάδερφός μου άφησε μουστάκι, αλλά η γιαγιά μου λέει ότι ήταν πιο ωραίος πριν.

My cousin grew a mustache, but my grandmother says he looked nicer before.

Breakdown of Ο ξάδερφός μου άφησε μουστάκι, αλλά η γιαγιά μου λέει ότι ήταν πιο ωραίος πριν.

• είμαι: to be
• μου: my
• αλλά: but
• πριν: before

Questions & Answers about Ο ξάδερφός μου άφησε μουστάκι, αλλά η γιαγιά μου λέει ότι ήταν πιο ωραίος πριν.

Why is it ο ξάδερφός μου and not just ξάδερφός μου?

In Greek, it is very common to use the definite article with family members and other specific people:

• ο ξάδερφός μου = my cousin
• η γιαγιά μου = my grandmother

Greek usually says the cousin of mine, even where English just says my cousin. So the article is not extra here; it is the normal Greek pattern.

Also, ο shows that ξάδερφος is masculine singular nominative.

Why does ξάδερφός have an accent on the last syllable here?

The basic noun is ξάδερφος. When you add the weak possessive pronoun μου, Greek often writes an extra accent if needed to keep the stress pattern clear:

• ο ξάδερφος
• ο ξάδερφός μου

This is a normal spelling rule with possessive clitics like μου, σου, του etc.

Why is μου placed after the noun in ξάδερφός μου and γιαγιά μου?

Because Greek possessive pronouns of this type normally come after the noun:

• ο φίλος μου = my friend
• η μητέρα μου = my mother
• το σπίτι μου = my house

So Greek does not usually say the equivalent of my cousin with the possessive first. The standard order is:

article + noun + possessive pronoun