Breakdown of Θέλω να κάνω αίτηση για το πρόγραμμα ανταλλαγής φοιτητών.
θέλω
to want
να
to
για
for
το πρόγραμμα
the program
Questions & Answers about Θέλω να κάνω αίτηση για το πρόγραμμα ανταλλαγής φοιτητών.
Why does Greek use θέλω να here? Is να the same as English to?
After θέλω (I want), Greek normally uses να plus a verb:
Θέλω να κάνω... = I want to do/make...
So in this kind of sentence, να often corresponds to English to, but grammatically it is not an infinitive marker in the same way English uses to. It introduces a subjunctive-type verb form, which is the normal pattern after verbs like θέλω.
A very common structure is:
θέλω να + verb
= want to + verb
For example:
- Θέλω να φύγω = I want to leave
- Θέλω να μάθω ελληνικά = I want to learn Greek
What does κάνω αίτηση literally mean? Is that the normal way to say apply?
Yes. Κάνω αίτηση is a very common and natural way to say apply.
Literally, it means something like:
- κάνω = do / make
- αίτηση = application
So the phrase literally means make an application, but in normal English we usually translate it as apply.
A more formal alternative is:
υποβάλλω αίτηση = submit an application
But for everyday use, κάνω αίτηση is extremely common.
Why is there no word for an before αίτηση?