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Questions & Answers about Αυτό το δώρο είναι το καλύτερο.
Why are there two instances of το in Αυτό το δώρο είναι το καλύτερο?
Because Greek does two things here:
- With demonstratives, you use the demonstrative plus the regular definite article before the noun: αυτό το δώρο = “this gift.” You cannot say αυτό δώρο.
- The superlative “the best” is expressed with the article + the comparative form: το καλύτερο = “the best (one).” So the second το belongs to the superlative.
Can I drop the second article and say Αυτό το δώρο είναι καλύτερο?
Yes, but the meaning changes:
- είναι καλύτερο = “is better” (comparative).
- είναι το καλύτερο = “is the best” (superlative). So if you remove the second το, you’re no longer saying “the best.”
Why καλύτερο and not πιο καλό?
- καλύτερος/καλύτερη/καλύτερο is the irregular comparative of καλός (“good”) and is the most natural choice.
- You can also form comparatives with πιο: πιο καλός (“more good”), but with “good,” the irregular comparative καλύτερος is strongly preferred.
- Superlative:
- Article + comparative: ο/η/το καλύτερος/η/ο = “the best” (most common).
- Article + πιο + adjective: ο/η/το πιο καλός/ή/ό is also used but sounds less natural here than ο/η/το καλύτερος/η/ο.
- Never say το πιο καλύτερο (“the more better”)—that’s incorrect.
What gender is δώρο, and how does agreement work in the sentence?
δώρο is neuter. Everything agrees in neuter singular:
- αυτό (this) → neuter
- το (the) before δώρο → neuter singular article
- είναι (is) → verb (no gender, but agrees in number/person)
- το καλύτερο → neuter singular, matching the subject. This is a predicate nominative that agrees with δώρο.
What case are δώρο and το καλύτερο, and why?
Both are nominative singular neuter. Αυτό το δώρο is the subject; το καλύτερο is a predicate nominative after the linking verb είναι (“is”), so it also appears in the nominative.
Can I rephrase it as Αυτό είναι το καλύτερο δώρο?
Yes. Αυτό είναι το καλύτερο δώρο means “This is the best gift.” It’s fully correct and very natural. The original Αυτό το δώρο είναι το καλύτερο says “This gift is the best,” placing slightly more emphasis on the noun “gift.”
Are other word orders with the demonstrative possible?
Yes:
- Το δώρο αυτό είναι το καλύτερο. (After-noun demonstrative; a bit more formal/literary in tone.)
- Το καλύτερο δώρο είναι αυτό. (Focus on “the best gift.”) All are grammatical; differences are mainly emphasis and register.
How do I pronounce the sentence?
Approximate: af-TÓ to THÓ-ro EE-neh to ka-LEE-te-ro
IPA: [afˈto to ˈðoɾo ˈine to kaˈli.te.ɾo]
Notes:
- αυ in αυτό is pronounced [af] before a voiceless consonant like τ.
- δ is the voiced “th” of “this” ([ð]).
- ει in είναι is [i].
- Stress is on the syllables marked with accents in Greek spelling.
What do the accent marks do here (e.g., αυτό, δώρο, καλύτερο)? Is ω pronounced differently?
- The accent (τόνος) marks the stressed syllable; it doesn’t change the vowel quality in Modern Greek.
- ο and ω are both pronounced [o] today; ώ just shows stress on that syllable in δώρο.
- Greek now uses the “monotonic” system: a single acute accent, no breathing marks.
How do I make it plural?
- Noun: δώρο → δώρα (gifts).
- Demonstrative + article: αυτά τα δώρα (these gifts).
- Superlative agreement: τα καλύτερα (the best). Full sentence: Αυτά τα δώρα είναι τα καλύτερα. = “These gifts are the best.”
Can το καλύτερο stand on its own?
Yes. Το καλύτερο can mean “the best one/part/thing.” Examples:
- Πάρε το καλύτερο. = “Take the best one.”
- Το καλύτερο είναι ότι τελειώσαμε. = “The best thing is that we’re done.”
What’s the difference between αυτό and εκείνο?
- αυτό = “this” (near the speaker).
- εκείνο = “that” (farther away or less immediate). So: Αυτό το δώρο = “this gift,” Εκείνο το δώρο = “that gift.”
Is the verb είναι required?
Yes. In a normal declarative sentence with a predicate like this, the copula είναι (“is”) is used and not omitted: … είναι το καλύτερο. Omitting it would sound incomplete.
How would I say “This gift of mine is the best”?
Αυτό το δώρο μου είναι το καλύτερο.
- Possessive pronouns follow the noun and keep the article: το δώρο μου = “my gift.”
Is there a more formal word for “the best,” like “excellent”?
Yes:
- άριστος/η/ο = “excellent,” “optimal” (more formal/high-register). E.g., Αυτό το δώρο είναι άριστο sounds formal and means “This gift is excellent,” not exactly “the best,” but very high praise. For “the best,” stick with το καλύτερο.
Is το πιο καλύτερο ever correct?
No. That’s a double comparative (“the more better”) and is ungrammatical. Use either:
- το καλύτερο (article + comparative form) or
- το πιο καλό (article + πιο + adjective).