Καρφιτσώνω τη ραφή και φαρδαίνω το στενό πουκάμισο.

Because they are both in the present tense, first person singular: I pin / I am pinning, I widen / I am widening.

For many Greek verbs, -ω is the normal ending for I in the present:

• καρφιτσώνω = I pin
• φαρδαίνω = I widen

So the verb ending itself already tells you the subject is I.

Greek often drops subject pronouns when they are not needed. This is very normal.

So instead of saying:

• Εγώ καρφιτσώνω...

Greek usually just says:

• Καρφιτσώνω...

The -ω ending already shows that the subject is I, so εγώ would only be added for emphasis or contrast.

It can mean either one, depending on context.

In Greek, the present tense often covers both:

• simple present: I pin / I widen
• present continuous: I am pinning / I am widening

So this sentence could describe:

• a general action or habit, or
• something happening right now

You decide from the situation, not from a different verb form.

Because ραφή is the direct object of καρφιτσώνω, so it appears in the accusative.

The dictionary form is:

• η ραφή = the seam (nominative)

But as a direct object, the article changes:

• τη(ν) ραφή = the seam (accusative)

The noun ραφή itself stays the same here; it is mainly the article that shows the case.

Both are connected to the same article form: την.

In everyday Greek, the final -ν is often dropped before many consonants. Since ραφή begins with ρ, it is very normal to write:

• τη ραφή

So:

• την ραφή = also understandable
• τη ραφή = very common and natural

This is not a change in meaning, just a normal phonetic/spelling pattern.

Because πουκάμισο is a neuter singular noun.

In Greek, the article and the adjective must agree with the noun in:

• gender
• number
• case

So:

• το = neuter singular article
• στενό = neuter singular adjective
• πουκάμισο = neuter singular noun

That is why you get:

• το στενό πουκάμισο

If the noun were feminine, the adjective and article would also change.

Literally, στενός / στενή / στενό means narrow.

But with clothing, it often means:

• tight
• too tight
• close-fitting

So in το στενό πουκάμισο, the most natural meaning is the tight shirt, not just the narrow shirt.

Because that is a very normal way to use an adjective in Greek.

So:

• το στενό πουκάμισο = the tight shirt

Putting the adjective before the noun is a straightforward, neutral pattern. Greek can also place adjectives after nouns in some structures, but before the noun is the simplest and most common pattern for a learner to recognize here.

It has a very clear pattern:

• Καρφιτσώνω τη ραφή
  = I pin the seam
• και = and
• φαρδαίνω το στενό πουκάμισο
  = I widen the tight shirt

So the structure is:

[verb + object] + και + [verb + object]

The same subject, I, applies to both verbs, so it does not need to be repeated.

A rough pronunciation guide:

• Καρφιτσώνω → kar-fi-TSO-no
• ραφή → ra-FI
• φαρδαίνω → far-THE-no
  (the δ here sounds like th in this)
• στενό → ste-NO
• πουκάμισο → pu-KA-mi-so

A few useful points:

• The accent mark shows which syllable is stressed.
• τσ sounds like ts in cats.
• αι is pronounced like e in modern Greek.

Yes, and that can help you remember them.

• καρφιτσώνω is related to καρφίτσα = pin
• φαρδαίνω is related to φαρδύς / φαρδιά / φαρδύ = wide

So you can think of them as:

• καρφιτσώνω = to use pins on something
• φαρδαίνω = to make something wider

This kind of word-building is very common in Greek and is useful for vocabulary learning.