Υπάρχει ένα ψίχουλο στο τραπέζι.

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Breakdown of Υπάρχει ένα ψίχουλο στο τραπέζι.

• σε: on
• το τραπέζι: the table
• υπάρχω: to exist

Questions & Answers about Υπάρχει ένα ψίχουλο στο τραπέζι.

Why does the sentence use υπάρχει? Is that the same as English there is?

Yes. Υπάρχει is the 3rd person singular form of υπάρχω, and in sentences like this it means there is / exists.

Greek does not use a separate dummy subject like English there. So instead of saying something like there is, Greek simply says exists:

• Υπάρχει ένα ψίχουλο... = There is a crumb...

If the noun were plural, you would use υπάρχουν:

• Υπάρχουν ψίχουλα στο τραπέζι. = There are crumbs on the table.

Why is it ένα? Does it mean a or one?

Ένα here is the neuter singular indefinite article, so it usually means a/an.

It can also mean one, depending on context, but in this sentence it is most naturally just a.

Why ένα specifically?

• ψίχουλο is a neuter noun
• the indefinite article must match the noun’s gender and number

So:

• masculine: ένας
• feminine: μία / μια
• neuter: ένα

Because ψίχουλο is neuter, you get ένα ψίχουλο.