Η μικρή φοβάται τη μέλισσα, αλλά χαμογελάει όταν βλέπει μια χρωματιστή πεταλούδα.

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Breakdown of Η μικρή φοβάται τη μέλισσα, αλλά χαμογελάει όταν βλέπει μια χρωματιστή πεταλούδα.

• βλέπω: to see
• όταν: when
• μία: one

Questions & Answers about Η μικρή φοβάται τη μέλισσα, αλλά χαμογελάει όταν βλέπει μια χρωματιστή πεταλούδα.

Why does η μικρή mean the little girl and not just the small one?

In Greek, an adjective can be used on its own as a noun when the noun is understood from context.

So η μικρή literally means the small/little one (female), but in everyday usage it often means the little girl or the young girl.

• η = the (feminine singular)
• μικρή = small / little (feminine singular)

A native English speaker may expect a separate word for girl, but Greek often leaves it out when it is obvious.

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Why is it φοβάται and not φοβάζει or something that looks more active?

Φοβάται comes from the verb φοβάμαι, which means to be afraid or to fear.

This verb is deponent in Modern Greek: it has passive/middle endings but an active meaning.

So:

• φοβάμαι = I am afraid / I fear
• φοβάται = he/she/it is afraid / fears

Even though the form looks passive to an English learner, here it is just the normal way to say she is afraid of.

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Why is it τη μέλισσα? What is τη doing there?