Questions & Answers about Έχω έναν μεγάλο σκύλο στο σπίτι.
What does έχω mean here, and how is it used?
Έχω means “I have”. It is the 1st person singular, present tense of the verb έχω (to have).
- Έχω = I have
- Έχεις = you (singular) have
- Έχει = he/she/it has
In this sentence, Έχω έναν μεγάλο σκύλο στο σπίτι = “I have a big dog at home.”
The verb έχω takes a direct object (“what do I have?” → “a big dog”), which is why σκύλο is in the accusative case.
Why is it έχω and not είμαι (I am)?
Greek, like English, uses “have” (έχω) to talk about possession, not “be” (είμαι).
- Έχω έναν σκύλο. = I have a dog.
- Είμαι ένας σκύλος. = I am a dog. (completely different meaning)
So to say you own/possess a dog, you must use έχω, not είμαι.
Why is it έναν and not ένα before μεγάλο σκύλο?