Έχω ένα δώρο για εσένα.

I have a gift for you.

Breakdown of Έχω ένα δώρο για εσένα.

• έχω: to have
• ένα: one
• για: for
• το δώρο: the gift
• εσένα: you

Questions & Answers about Έχω ένα δώρο για εσένα.

What does each word do in the sentence?

• Έχω = I have (1st person singular, present tense of έχω)
• ένα = a/an (indefinite article, neuter singular; agrees with the noun)
• δώρο = gift/present (neuter noun; here the direct object in the accusative)
• για = for (preposition)
• εσένα = you (strong/stressed pronoun, accusative singular; used after prepositions)

The default order is Verb + Object + Prepositional phrase, but Greek allows flexible word order for emphasis.

Why is it εσένα and not σε?

After prepositions like για, Greek uses the strong (stressed) pronouns: για εσένα/για σένα.
The weak clitic σε attaches to verbs (e.g., Σε βλέπω = I see you). You can’t say για σε in standard modern Greek.

Is για σένα as good as για εσένα?

Yes. για σένα is very common and a bit more casual. για εσένα sounds slightly more emphatic or careful. Both are fully correct.

How do I make it plural or formal?

Use the plural/formal “you”:

• Strong pronoun after a preposition: για εσάς
• Weak clitic with the verb: σας

Examples:

• Έχω ένα δώρο για εσάς. (I have a gift for you [plural/formal].)
• Σας έχω ένα δώρο. (I have a gift for you [plural/formal].)

Why ένα and not έναν?

Because δώρο is neuter. The indefinite article is:

• Masculine: ένας (nom.), έναν (acc.)
• Feminine: μία/μια (nom./acc.)
• Neuter: ένα (nom./acc.)

So: ένα δώρο, but e.g. έναν φίλο (a [male] friend).

What gender is δώρο, and what’s the plural?

δώρο is neuter.

• Singular: το δώρο (nom./acc.)
• Plural: τα δώρα (nom./acc.)

Note: Neuter nouns have the same form in nominative and accusative.

Why isn’t the subject “I” written?

Greek usually drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the person. Έχω already means “I have,” so εγώ is unnecessary unless you want emphasis.

Is Σου έχω ένα δώρο the same as Έχω ένα δώρο για εσένα?

Yes, and it’s very idiomatic.

• Σου έχω ένα δώρο. (weak clitic σου = for you)
• Έχω ένα δώρο για εσένα. (prepositional phrase)
  Both are natural; the first feels slightly more integrated/colloquial, the second explicitly marks the recipient with για.

Can I say Έχω ένα δώρο σε εσένα?

No, that’s not idiomatic with έχω. Use either:

• Έχω ένα δώρο για εσένα.
• Σου έχω ένα δώρο.
  With verbs of giving you can use σε (e.g., Δίνω ένα δώρο σε εσένα / Σου δίνω ένα δώρο), but not with έχω.

Can I omit the article ένα?

Yes. Σου έχω δώρο or Έχω δώρο για σένα is common and still means “I have a (some) gift for you.”
With ένα, you highlight “one specific gift.” Without it, it’s a bit more general/natural in speech.

How do I pronounce it?

IPA: [ˈe.xo ˈe.na ˈðo.ro ʝa eˈse.na]

• Έχω: “E-ho,” χ = (like German “Bach”).
• δώρο: δ = [ð] (like English “this”).
• για: γ before ι/ε = [ʝ] (a soft “y”-like sound).
• Stress is marked by the accent: Έχω, ένα, δώρο, εσένα.

How do I negate it or turn it into a question?

• Negation: Δεν έχω (κανένα) δώρο για σένα.
  Without κανένα it’s “I don’t have a gift for you”; with κανένα it’s “I don’t have any gift for you.”
• Question: Έχεις ένα δώρο για εμένα;
  Note the Greek question mark is a semicolon: ;

What’s the difference between “for you” and “your gift”?

• Έχω ένα δώρο για σένα. = I have a gift intended for you.
• Έχω το δώρο σου. = I have your gift (the gift that belongs to you). Different structure: definite article + noun + possessive clitic -σου.

Can I change the word order for emphasis?

Yes:

• Για σένα έχω ένα δώρο. (emphasizes the recipient)
• Ένα δώρο έχω για σένα. (emphasizes “a gift”)
  All mean the same thing; the fronted element gets extra emphasis.

Are there casual variants of words here?

• για εσένα → για σένα (more casual)
• You’ll also hear the diminutive δωράκι for “little gift”: Σου έχω ένα δωράκι.