Learn Hardcore Greek: Φοράω ζεστά ρούχα για να είμαι καλά έξω. - I wear warm clothes in order to be okay outside.

Both are correct and mean the same thing. Φοράω is the everyday, colloquial form you’ll hear most often in speech. Φορώ is a little more formal/literary and is common in writing, headlines, or set phrases. Use whichever you prefer; there’s no meaning difference in this sentence.

Does φοράω mean “wear” or “put on”?

It can mean both, depending on context. If you want to emphasize the action of putting something on at that moment, you can also use verbs like βάζω (I put on) for specific items, or ντύνομαι (I get dressed). Examples: Βάζω το παλτό μου (I put on my coat), Ντύνομαι ζεστά (I dress warmly).

Why is ζεστά in the neuter plural?

Because ρούχα (clothes) is neuter plural, and adjectives agree with the noun in gender, number, and case. The adjective is ζεστός (m.), ζεστή (f.), ζεστό (n.); its neuter plural is ζεστά, matching (τα) ρούχα.

Why isn’t there an article before ρούχα? Should it be τα ζεστά ρούχα?

Greek often omits the article for a general, non‑specific plural. Φοράω ζεστά ρούχα means “I wear warm clothes” in general. If you say Φοράω τα ζεστά ρούχα, you point to specific warm clothes already known in context (e.g., “the warm clothes I bought”).

What does για να do here?

Για να introduces a purpose clause: “in order to.” It’s followed by να + the verb in the subjunctive. In the negative, use για να μην + verb (e.g., για να μην κρυώνω = so that I don’t feel cold).

Is είμαι in the subjunctive here? Why does it look the same as the present?

Yes. After να, είμαι is in the present subjunctive, but the forms of είμαι are identical in the indicative and subjunctive: να είμαι, να είσαι, να είναι, να είμαστε, να είστε, να είναι. Note: you don’t use θα after να; “για να θα είμαι” is ungrammatical.

Why use καλά after είμαι? Could I say καλός or ζεστός/ζεστή instead?

Είμαι καλά means “I’m well/OK/comfortable” and is idiomatic for physical comfort here.
Είμαι καλός/καλή means “I’m good (at something)/a good person,” not “I feel well.”
To focus specifically on warmth, Greek often says για να μην κρυώνω (έξω) (so that I don’t get cold). You could also say για να νιώθω ζεστά (έξω). Είμαι ζεστός/ζεστή is possible but sounds more like “I am warm (to the touch)” rather than the general comfort intended by είμαι καλά.

What exactly is έξω? Do I need a preposition with it?

Έξω is an adverb meaning “outside,” so no preposition is needed. If you want to specify “outside of” a particular place, use έξω από + noun: έξω από το σπίτι (outside the house).

Can I move έξω earlier in the sentence?

Greek word order is flexible, but έξω naturally sits at the end here: …για να είμαι καλά έξω. You can front it for emphasis (e.g., Έξω, για να είμαι καλά, φοράω ζεστά ρούχα), but the original order is the most neutral and smooth.

Do I need a comma before για να?

Generally no. A short, integrated purpose clause like this takes no comma: Φοράω ζεστά ρούχα για να είμαι καλά έξω. You may use commas if the clause is long or parenthetical for rhetorical effect.

Could I use θερμά instead of ζεστά for “warm”?

No; θερμός/θερμά is formal/technical and not used for clothing. The natural choice is ζεστά ρούχα. Other everyday options for the idea are χοντρά ρούχα or βαριά ρούχα (thick/heavy clothes).

Can I drop για and just use να?

In casual speech you’ll hear it: Φοράω ζεστά ρούχα να είμαι καλά έξω. In careful speech and writing, για να is the standard way to express purpose and is safer stylistically.

Would ντύνομαι ζεστά be more natural than φοράω ζεστά ρούχα?

Both are natural, with a slight nuance:

Ντύνομαι ζεστά = I dress warmly (focus on the act/style of dressing).
Φοράω ζεστά ρούχα = I wear warm clothes (focus on the clothes themselves). Use either according to what you want to emphasize.

Do I need to say “my clothes” (τα ρούχα μου)?

No. Greek often omits the possessive when it’s obvious from context. Φοράω ζεστά ρούχα is understood as “I wear warm clothes (my own).” Add μου only if you need to stress ownership: τα ζεστά ρούχα μου.

Why is ρούχα plural? Can I say ρούχο?

Clothing is typically referred to in the plural ρούχα as a collective. Ρούχο is “a garment.” If you mean one item, name it: ένα ζεστό μπουφάν/παλτό/πουλόβερ.

If I’m talking about a particular future outing, should I use future tense?

Yes. For a specific plan, use future in the main clause: Θα φορέσω ζεστά ρούχα για να είμαι καλά έξω. The purpose clause still uses να είμαι, not θα είμαι.