Απλώνω τα ρούχα στο μπαλκόνι όταν δεν βρέχει.

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Breakdown of Απλώνω τα ρούχα στο μπαλκόνι όταν δεν βρέχει.

• σε: on
• όταν: when
• το ρούχο: the garment

Questions & Answers about Απλώνω τα ρούχα στο μπαλκόνι όταν δεν βρέχει.

Why is it Απλώνω here? What does this verb mean in this sentence?

Απλώνω literally means to spread out. In the context of laundry, Greek uses it for hanging clothes out to dry.

So Απλώνω τα ρούχα means:

• I hang out the clothes
• I put the clothes out to dry

This is a very natural Greek expression. English uses hang out the clothes, while Greek uses spread out the clothes.

A related verb you may also hear is κρεμάω / κρεμώ (to hang), but απλώνω τα ρούχα is the standard everyday phrase for laundry.

Why is it τα ρούχα and not just ρούχα?

Τα is the definite article, meaning the.

So:

• τα ρούχα = the clothes
• ρούχα = clothes in a more general or indefinite sense

In Greek, the article is used more often than in English. With everyday objects like clothes, food, body parts, and so on, Greek often sounds more natural with the article.

So Απλώνω τα ρούχα is the normal way to say I hang out the clothes / I hang the clothes out.

Is ρούχα singular or plural?