Αν η μαγιά δεν είναι καλή, το μίξερ δεν βοηθάει πολύ και το ψωμί δεν βγαίνει καλό.

If the yeast is not good, the mixer does not help much and the bread doesn’t turn out well.

Breakdown of Αν η μαγιά δεν είναι καλή, το μίξερ δεν βοηθάει πολύ και το ψωμί δεν βγαίνει καλό.

• είμαι: to be
• και: and
• το ψωμί: the bread
• δεν: not

Questions & Answers about Αν η μαγιά δεν είναι καλή, το μίξερ δεν βοηθάει πολύ και το ψωμί δεν βγαίνει καλό.

Why does the sentence start with Αν?

Αν means if. It introduces a condition:

• Αν η μαγιά δεν είναι καλή = If the yeast is not good

This is a very common Greek way to make if sentences. In this sentence, αν is followed by the present tense because it is talking about a real or general condition, not something imaginary or impossible.

Why is there a comma after καλή?

The comma separates the if-clause from the main clause, just like in English:

• If the yeast is not good, the mixer does not help much...

In Greek, when the conditional clause comes first, a comma is normally used.

Why do we have η μαγιά, το μίξερ, and το ψωμί? Why are the articles included?

Greek uses the definite article very often, even in places where English might or might not use the.

Here:

• η μαγιά = the yeast
• το μίξερ = the mixer
• το ψωμί = the bread

In Greek, nouns are normally used with an article unless there is a specific reason not to. So to an English speaker, Greek can sound more article-heavy.

Also, the articles show and :