"Ο καφές είναι μέσα στο ποτήρι."

[anyom]

what does the word στο/στιν mean

[panagiotis_ts]

To express a location or a direction in modern Greek, you have to use the preposition "σε" (= "in" or "to", depending on the context).

After this preposition, the word that follows has to be in accusative case.

Here's how the definite articles change in accusative:

• ο -> το(ν) (sing. masc.)
• η -> τη(ν) (sing. fem.)

• το -> το (sing. n.)

• οι -> τους (pl. masc.)

• οι -> τις (pl. fem.)
• τα -> τα (pl. n.)

To say "in the'' or "to the" in Greek, you have to combine the preposition "σε" and the definite article of your choice in accusative:

• το(ν) -> στο(ν)
• τη(ν) -> στη(ν)

• το -> στο

• τους -> στους

• τις -> στις
• τα -> στα

I hope that this helps. :-)

[GarrettDiment]

Wow this definitely helps. I understand now why the accusative case must be used, as "in the" and "to the" obviously express action toward the direct object, which would need to be in the accusative case. Is the same true for phrases like "between the"?

[anyom]

Wow thanks! That really helped me. They should put it in the tips and notes haha

[GayChristo1]

Shouldn't it be κούπα? Glass reads strangely to me for coffee.

[tsuj1g1r1]

Maybe ice coffee! :D

[robert672165]

that would be φραπέ...

[RoelChalla]

Could I leave "μέσα" out? ->

"Ο καφές είναι στο ποτήρι."

[Dimitra956826]

Yes, you could! It's an accepted alternative. ^.^