Η σαμπρέλα ξεφουσκώνει, οπότε τη φουσκώνω.

Σαμπρέλα is a feminine singular noun, so it takes the feminine singular definite article η in the nominative:

• η σαμπρέλα = the inner tube

Greek nouns have grammatical gender, and the article has to match the noun in gender, number, and case.

In this sentence, η σαμπρέλα is the subject of ξεφουσκώνει, so it appears in the nominative case.

In standard Greek, σαμπρέλα usually means an inner tube (for example, in a bicycle tire or other tire).

Depending on context, people may also use it more loosely for an inflatable ring, but the most standard meaning is inner tube. In this sentence, that meaning fits very naturally because it is something that can lose air and then be inflated again.

Ξεφουσκώνει is:

• present tense
• active voice
• 3rd person singular

So it means:

• it is deflating
• it is losing air
• sometimes more generally it goes flat

The ending -ει here marks a he/she/it form in the present.

Because Greek present tense often covers both ongoing and general/current situations, ξεφουσκώνει can sound natural for both:

• The tube is going flat
• The tube keeps losing air / is losing air

These two verbs are closely related:

• φουσκώνω = inflate, blow up, make swell
• ξεφουσκώνω = deflate, let air out, go flat

A very common role of ξε- in Greek is to suggest undoing, reversing, or removing something.

So here:

• η σαμπρέλα ξεφουσκώνει = the inner tube is deflating
• τη φουσκώνω = I inflate it

Yes, in this sentence οπότε means something like:

• so
• therefore
• as a result

It links the two parts logically:

• The inner tube is deflating, so I inflate it.

Be aware that οπότε can also have other uses in Greek, especially in more conversational language, but here it is a straightforward result/consequence connector.

Because οπότε introduces a new clause and marks a result:

• Η σαμπρέλα ξεφουσκώνει, οπότε τη φουσκώνω.

This punctuation is very natural in Greek, just as English often uses a comma before so when connecting two clauses.

Τη is a weak object pronoun meaning her/it in the feminine singular accusative.

It refers back to τη σαμπρέλα.

So:

• φουσκώνω = I inflate
• τη φουσκώνω = I inflate it

Because σαμπρέλα is feminine, the pronoun must also be feminine:

• masculine: τον
• feminine: τη(ν)
• neuter: το

Both forms are related to the same pronoun. The full form is την, but in modern Greek the final -ν is often dropped before many consonants.

Since the next word is φουσκώνω, which starts with φ, it is very common to write and say:

• τη φουσκώνω

You will also see rules about when the final -ν is kept, especially before vowels and certain consonants. Before φ, dropping it is normal.

So here τη φουσκώνω is exactly what you should expect.

In standard modern Greek, weak object pronouns usually come before a finite verb.

So Greek says:

• τη φουσκώνω = I inflate it

not normally:

• φουσκώνω τη

This is one of the basic word-order patterns learners need to get used to. With ordinary finite verbs, these short object pronouns typically stand right before the verb.

Because Greek often omits subject pronouns when the verb ending already makes the subject clear.

Here:

• φουσκώνω already means I inflate
• so εγώ is unnecessary unless you want emphasis

So:

• τη φουσκώνω = I inflate it
• εγώ τη φουσκώνω = I’m the one inflating it / I inflate it with extra emphasis

Greek does this very often with I, you, we, etc.

More or less, yes. Greek present tense is broader than English in how it maps onto translations.

• ξεφουσκώνει can mean is deflating / is going flat
• φουσκώνω can mean I inflate it / I’m inflating it

Greek present tense can describe:

• something happening right now
• something currently going on
• something habitual or repeated

So the sentence is natural even if English might choose slightly different forms depending on context.

Yes, Greek has more word-order flexibility than English, but the original version is the most neutral:

• Η σαμπρέλα ξεφουσκώνει, οπότε τη φουσκώνω.

You might also hear variations for emphasis, such as putting stress on the object or on the action, but for a learner, the given order is the best basic model:

• subject + verb
• connector
• object pronoun + verb

So this sentence is a very good example of standard, natural Greek word order.

In Greek, a singular count noun usually needs some determiner unless there is a specific reason not to use one.

Here η σαμπρέλα sounds like a specific, known inner tube:

• the inner tube is going flat

If you wanted an inner tube, you would normally use μια σαμπρέλα.

So the article is not optional here in the way English sometimes allows more flexibility.