Φοράω ποδιά όταν μαγειρεύω, για να μη λερώνομαι εύκολα.

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Breakdown of Φοράω ποδιά όταν μαγειρεύω, για να μη λερώνομαι εύκολα.

• φοράω: to wear
• για να: so that
• εύκολα: easily

Questions & Answers about Φοράω ποδιά όταν μαγειρεύω, για να μη λερώνομαι εύκολα.

Why is it φοράω here? Is that the normal way to say I wear?

Yes. Φοράω is the 1st person singular present form: I wear / I am wearing.

A learner should know that this verb has two common present-tense patterns:

• φοράω
• φορώ

Both are used, and both are correct in Modern Greek. In everyday speech, φοράω is very common and often sounds more natural in conversation. Φορώ can sound a bit shorter, sometimes slightly more formal or more written, depending on context.

So:

• Φοράω ποδιά = I wear an apron
• Φορώ ποδιά = same meaning

Why is there no article before ποδιά?

Greek often leaves out the article when talking about wearing something in a general, non-specific way.

So φοράω ποδιά means I wear an apron / I put on an apron, without focusing on which apron.

If you say:

• Φοράω μια ποδιά — you emphasize an apron / one apron
• Φοράω την ποδιά — you mean the apron, a specific one

In this sentence, the speaker is talking about a general habit, so no article sounds very natural.

Why is μαγειρεύω in the present tense after όταν?