Breakdown of Η φόδρα είναι καθαρή και δεν ξεθωριάζει.
Questions & Answers about Η φόδρα είναι καθαρή και δεν ξεθωριάζει.
Why is it η φόδρα and not ο φόδρα or το φόδρα?
Because φόδρα is a feminine noun in Greek. Greek nouns have grammatical gender, so they take different definite articles:
- ο = masculine
- η = feminine
- το = neuter
Since φόδρα is feminine, the correct form is η φόδρα.
Why is the adjective καθαρή feminine?
Adjectives in Greek usually agree with the noun they describe in gender, number, and case.
Here, φόδρα is:
- feminine
- singular
- nominative
So the adjective must match it:
- masculine: καθαρός
- feminine: καθαρή
- neuter: καθαρό
That is why the sentence uses καθαρή.
What exactly does είναι mean here?
Είναι means is. It is the 3rd person singular form of the verb είμαι = to be.
So:
- Η φόδρα είναι καθαρή = The lining is clean
Greek usually keeps είναι in this kind of sentence, unlike some languages where the verb to be can be dropped.
What form is ξεθωριάζει?
Ξεθωριάζει is the 3rd person singular present tense of ξεθωριάζω, which means to fade or to lose color.
So:
- ξεθωριάζει = it fades / it is fading / it does fade
In this sentence, because the subject is η φόδρα, it means:
- the lining does not fade
- or the lining isn’t fading, depending on context
Why is δεν placed before ξεθωριάζει?
Δεν is the normal word for not in Modern Greek, and it usually goes directly before the verb.
So:
- ξεθωριάζει = it fades
- δεν ξεθωριάζει = it does not fade
This is the standard way to negate a verb in ordinary statements.
Why is there no word for it before δεν ξεθωριάζει?
Because Greek often does not need subject pronouns when the verb ending already shows who or what the subject is.
In English, you need it does not fade.
In Greek, ξεθωριάζει already tells you it is 3rd person singular, so the subject can be understood from context.
Here, the subject is still η φόδρα from the first part of the sentence.
Does και always mean and?
Very often, yes. In this sentence, και simply means and:
- καθαρή και δεν ξεθωριάζει = clean and does not fade
In other contexts, και can sometimes have meanings like also, even, or be used in set expressions, but here it is the basic and.
Why is καθαρή used instead of some other word for clean?
Καθαρός / καθαρή / καθαρό is the normal adjective meaning clean.
Because φόδρα is feminine, the feminine form καθαρή is used.
Depending on context, καθαρή can sometimes also mean clear or pure, but in this sentence it means clean.
Is this sentence in the present tense, and does it describe a general quality?
Yes. Both verbs are in the present tense:
- είναι = is
- ξεθωριάζει = fades / is fading
In a sentence like this, Greek present tense often describes a general characteristic or ongoing property, not just something happening at this exact second.
So the sentence sounds like a product description or statement of quality:
- The lining is clean and does not fade.
How would a Greek speaker pronounce this sentence?
A rough pronunciation is:
ee FODH-ra EE-ne ka-tha-REE ke then kseh-tho-RIA-zee
A few helpful notes:
- η sounds like ee
- φόδρα has stress on the first syllable: FÓ-dra
- καθαρή has stress on the last syllable: ka-tha-RÍ
- δεν sounds like then with a softer th
- ξ in ξε- sounds like ks
- ζει in -άζει sounds roughly like zee
The accent marks show which syllable is stressed:
- φόδρα
- καθαρή
- ξεθωριάζει
Could the sentence be translated as The lining is clean and won’t fade?
Yes, in natural English that can be a very good translation, especially in advertising or product descriptions.
Literally, the Greek says:
- The lining is clean and does not fade
But English often prefers:
- The lining is clean and won’t fade
- The lining stays clean and doesn’t fade
- The lining is clean and fade-resistant
So the exact English wording can vary, even though the Greek structure is straightforward.
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