Φωτογραφίζω την πλατεία.

Greek often leaves out subject pronouns when they are clear from the verb ending.

• Φωτογραφίζω = I photograph / I am photographing
• The ending -ω shows 1st person singular: I

So Greek does not need εγώ here. You could say Εγώ φωτογραφίζω την πλατεία if you want extra emphasis, like I’m the one photographing the square.

It is the present tense.

In Greek, the present tense can often cover both:

• I photograph
• I am photographing

So Φωτογραφίζω την πλατεία can mean either a general present or something happening right now, depending on context.

Because πλατεία is the direct object of the verb.

The dictionary form is:

• η πλατεία = the square (nominative, used for the subject)

But after a transitive verb like Φωτογραφίζω, Greek uses the accusative for the direct object:

• την πλατεία = the square (accusative)

So:

• Η πλατεία είναι μεγάλη. = The square is big.
• Φωτογραφίζω την πλατεία. = I am photographing the square.

Την is the feminine singular accusative definite article.

In simpler terms, it means the when used with a feminine singular noun that is a direct object.

Here is the pattern:

• η πλατεία = the square (subject form)
• την πλατεία = the square (object form)

So την is not a separate word like her here. It is just the form of the that matches the grammar of the sentence.

Πλατεία is a feminine noun.

Its basic forms are:

• η πλατεία = the square
• της πλατείας = of the square
• την πλατεία = the square (object)

A learner often needs to remember nouns together with their article, so it is best to learn it as:

• η πλατεία

not just πλατεία by itself.

Because Greek treats the square as the direct object of the verb Φωτογραφίζω.

In English, you may think of the idea as take a photo of the square, but Greek can express it more directly:

• Φωτογραφίζω την πλατεία = literally I photograph the square

So Greek does not need an extra preposition in this sentence.

A helpful rough pronunciation is:

fo-to-gra-FEE-zo tin pla-TEE-a

A few useful points:

• Φ sounds like English f
• θ in την sounds like th in think
• The stress falls on:
  • -φί- in φωτογραφίζω
  • -τεί- in πλατεία

So say it roughly as:

fo-to-gra-FEE-zo teen pla-TEE-a

No. Greek word order is more flexible than English word order.

The neutral order here is:

• Φωτογραφίζω την πλατεία.

But Greek can move words around for emphasis, for example:

• Την πλατεία φωτογραφίζω.

That would put more emphasis on the square.
For a beginner, though, the standard order verb + object is a good safe pattern to use.

Yes, but usually only if you want emphasis or contrast.

• Εγώ φωτογραφίζω την πλατεία.

This sounds more like:

• I am photographing the square
• I’m the one photographing the square

Without special emphasis, Greek normally just says:

• Φωτογραφίζω την πλατεία.

You would normally use μια:

• Φωτογραφίζω μια πλατεία. = I am photographing a square.

So compare:

• την πλατεία = the square
• μια πλατεία = a square

That is an important contrast, because την is definite, while μια is indefinite.

Yes, it is a normal verb and it is easy to understand.

Greek speakers may also often use expressions based on photo, especially in casual speech, such as saying they are taking a photo rather than using the single verb photograph. But Φωτογραφίζω την πλατεία is perfectly correct and natural Greek.

For a learner, it is a very useful verb to know because it behaves like a regular present-tense verb in -ω.