Learn Hardcore Greek: Έχουμε χάσει το κλειδί και ψάχνουμε παντού. - We have lost the key and we are searching everywhere.

Έχουμε χάσει (present perfect, παρακείμενος) emphasizes a past action with a present result: the key is still missing now.
Χάσαμε (aorist, simple past) simply reports a completed past event. In everyday Greek, both are heard; use the perfect when you want to stress the current consequence.

What exactly is the form έχουμε χάσει?

It’s the Greek present perfect: auxiliary έχω (here έχουμε, “we have”) + a perfective non-finite form (χάσει). It doesn’t change for gender or number. Related tenses:

το έχουμε χάσει = we have lost it
το είχαμε χάσει = we had lost it (pluperfect)
θα το έχουμε χάσει = we will have lost it (future perfect, rarer)

Where do I put negation and object pronouns?

Negation goes before the auxiliary or finite verb: Δεν έχουμε χάσει το κλειδί.
Object clitics go before the finite verb: Το έχουμε χάσει (not “Έχουμε το χάσει”); Και το ψάχνουμε παντού.

Why isn’t the subject pronoun εμείς used?

Greek is a “null-subject” language. The verb ending -ουμε in έχουμε/ψάχνουμε already shows “we,” so εμείς is optional and used mainly for emphasis: Εμείς έχουμε χάσει…

Why is the definite article το used with κλειδί?

Because a specific, known key is meant. Greek uses the definite article widely with specific nouns: το κλειδί = the key. If you mean a non-specific one, use ένα κλειδί = a key. Possession is added after the noun: το κλειδί μας = our key.

How do I say “our key” and “our keys”?

Singular: το κλειδί μας
Plural: τα κλειδιά μας Note the plural of κλειδί is κλειδιά.

Should I repeat “the key” in the second clause?

You can omit it because it’s obvious from context: …και ψάχνουμε παντού. Very natural is to use a pronoun: …και το ψάχνουμε παντού. Repeating the noun (…και ψάχνουμε το κλειδί παντού) is grammatical but more repetitive.

Is ψάχνουμε different from ψάχνουμε για?

Both occur. With a direct object, Greek prefers plain ψάχνω: ψάχνουμε το κλειδί. Ψάχνω για is common in speech and is fine, especially without a specific object: ψάχνουμε για δουλειά (we’re looking for work).

What does παντού mean exactly, and can it move?

Παντού = everywhere (an adverb). Usual placement is after the verb: ψάχνουμε παντού. You can front it for emphasis: Παντού ψάχνουμε! A near-synonym is οπουδήποτε (= anywhere), which is less emphatic than “everywhere.”

What case is το κλειδί in here?

Accusative singular neuter, as the direct object of έχουμε χάσει. In neuter, nominative and accusative look the same (το κλειδί), which can hide the case from beginners.

Does χάσει agree with the subject in gender/number?

No. In the Greek perfect, the non-finite form like χάσει is invariable. Agreement is carried by the auxiliary (έχω/έχεις/έχει/έχουμε/…).

How do I ask or negate this sentence?

Question: Έχουμε χάσει το κλειδί; or with a “maybe” nuance: Μήπως χάσαμε το κλειδί;
Negation: Δεν έχουμε χάσει το κλειδί, απλώς ψάχνουμε παντού.

What’s the difference between χάνω and χάνομαι?

χάνω = I lose (something): Έχουμε χάσει το κλειδί.
χάνομαι = I get lost (myself): Έχουμε χαθεί. So Έχουμε χαθεί means “we’re lost,” not “we’ve lost it.”

Are there synonyms for ψάχνω?

Yes:

γυρεύω (colloquial)
αναζητώ / αναζητάω (more formal) All can work: …και το αναζητάμε παντού.

Can I change the word order for emphasis?

Yes. Greek allows fronting for focus:

Το κλειδί το έχουμε χάσει (focus on “the key”)
Παντού ψάχνουμε (focus on “everywhere”) Meaning stays, emphasis shifts.

How do I pronounce the sentence?

Approximate: EH-khoo-me HÁ-see to kli-THEE ke PSÁKH-noo-me pan-DOO. Notes: χ = a hard h (like German “Bach”), δ in κλειδί = th in “this,” stress is on the accented syllables.