Questions & Answers about Έχω νερό και ψωμί.
How do I pronounce the sentence, and where is the stress?
- Έχω = [ˈe.xo]. The χ is like the German/Scottish sound in “Bach” (a voiceless “kh”), and the stress mark (´) shows stress on Έ.
- και = [ce], pronounced like ke in “kettle” (not “kai”).
- νερό = [neˈro], stress on the last syllable.
- ψωμί = [psoˈmi], stress on the last syllable. The letter ψ is the cluster “ps.” Full sentence: [ˈe.xo ce neˈro psoˈmi].
Why is there no separate word for “I”?
Greek is a “null-subject” language. The verb ending in έχω (the -ω) already tells you the subject is first person singular (“I”). You add Εγώ only for emphasis or contrast: Εγώ έχω νερό και ψωμί (“I have water and bread,” as opposed to someone else).
What does the little accent mark on the words do?
It marks the stressed syllable of the word (Modern Greek uses the monotonic system: one stress per word). In Έχω, νερό, ψωμί, the accent shows where to place the stress. Uppercase vowels keep the accent, so Έχω is correct.
Why is there no article like “a” or “the”?