Λαδώνω την αλυσίδα.

chain

Breakdown of Λαδώνω την αλυσίδα.

• λαδώνω: to oil; lubricate

Questions & Answers about Λαδώνω την αλυσίδα.

What does λαδώνω mean grammatically?

Λαδώνω is the 1st person singular present tense form of the verb λαδώνω.

So it means:

• I oil
• I am oiling

Greek present tense often covers both the simple present and the continuous present in English.

Why doesn’t the sentence include εγώ for I?

Because Greek usually does not need the subject pronoun.

The ending -ω in λαδώνω already tells you the subject is I.
So:

• Λαδώνω την αλυσίδα. = I oil / I’m oiling the chain.
• Εγώ λαδώνω την αλυσίδα. would add emphasis, like I’m the one oiling the chain.

What is την here?

Την is the feminine singular accusative definite article, meaning the.

It is used because αλυσίδα is:

• feminine
• singular
• the direct object of the verb

So:

• η αλυσίδα = the chain as a subject
• την αλυσίδα = the chain as an object

Why is αλυσίδα in this form?