Η φυλή είναι άγνωστη.

The breed is unknown.

Breakdown of Η φυλή είναι άγνωστη.

• είμαι: to be
• άγνωστος: unknown
• η φυλή: breed

Questions & Answers about Η φυλή είναι άγνωστη.

Why does the sentence start with Η?

Η is the definite article for a feminine singular noun in the nominative case.

So in Η φυλή, both words are feminine singular nominative:

• Η = the
• φυλή = the noun

A learner often notices that Greek articles change a lot. Here the article matches the noun’s gender, number, and case.

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What gender is φυλή, and how can I tell?

φυλή is feminine.

One clue is the article Η. Another clue is the ending -ή, which is very often feminine in Greek.

In this sentence:

• Η φυλή = feminine singular

Because the noun is feminine, any adjective describing it also has to be feminine.

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Why is it άγνωστη and not άγνωστο or άγνωστος?

Because adjectives in Greek must agree with the noun they describe.

Since φυλή is:

• feminine
• singular
• nominative

the adjective must also be:

• feminine
• singular
• nominative

So:

• masculine: άγνωστος
• feminine: άγνωστη
• neuter: άγνωστο

Here we need άγνωστη to match φυλή.

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