We know that it can be very challenging to understand the difference between the definite and the indefinite article. Let’s try to make it easier for you!
We use the definite article when referring to a specific person, animal or thing:
- Ο αδελφός μου είναι χορευτής (o athelfós mu íne horeftís) = My brother is a dancer.
- Η γάτα μου έχει μαύρο χρώμα (i gháta mu éhi mávro hróma) = My cat is black.
- Το τραπέζει βρίσκεται στην κουζίνα (to trapézi vrískiete stin kuzína) = The table is in the kitchen.
The indefinite article refers to something (person, animal, thing) that is general, or not known by the persons involved in the conversation:
- Ένας καθηγητής μου είπε ότι αύριο έχουμε τεστ (énas kathighitís mu ípe óti ávrio éhume test) = A professor told me that tomorrow we have a test.
- Χθες είδα στον δρόμο μια μαύρη γάτα (hthes ítha ston thrómo mia mávri gháta) = Yesterday I saw a black cat on the street.
- Ένα μήλο την ημέρα τον γιατρό τον κάνει πέρα (éna mílo tin iméra ton ghiatró ton káni péra) = An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Remember! We always use the definite article in front of
- Names: Ο Άγγελος (o Άgelos), η Μαίρη (i Méri) (not in the vocative case!)
- Family members: η μαμά (i mama), η αδελφή (i athelfí) (not in the vocative case!)
- Days of the week: τη Δευτέρα (ti theftéra), την Τρίτη (tin tríti) (accusative case)
- Times of the day: το πρωί (to proí), το μεσημέρι (to mesiméri)
Now try to think of some more examples for each case!