Η μπανιέρα είναι μικρή, αλλά η σαπουνοθήκη χωράει δίπλα στη βρύση.

to be

Breakdown of Η μπανιέρα είναι μικρή, αλλά η σαπουνοθήκη χωράει δίπλα στη βρύση.

• αλλά: but
• μικρός: small
• δίπλα σε: next to

Questions & Answers about Η μπανιέρα είναι μικρή, αλλά η σαπουνοθήκη χωράει δίπλα στη βρύση.

Why is η used twice in this sentence?

Η is the feminine singular form of the in Greek.

It appears before both μπανιέρα and σαπουνοθήκη because both nouns are feminine singular:

• η μπανιέρα = the bathtub
• η σαπουνοθήκη = the soap dish

Greek uses the definite article much more regularly than English, and the article must match the noun’s gender, number, and case.

How do I pronounce μπανιέρα? Why does it start with μπ?

In Modern Greek, μπ is often pronounced like b at the beginning of a word.

So μπανιέρα sounds roughly like ban-YE-ra.

A few useful points:

• μπ at the start of a word often sounds like b
• νιέ here gives a nye sound
• the stress is on -έ-, so: μπανιέρα

This is a common Greek spelling pattern for the b sound.

Why is it μικρή and not some other form of small?