Σήμερα δεν έχει καύσωνα, αλλά η υγρασία είναι μεγάλη, παρόλο που η πρόγνωση έλεγε κάτι άλλο.

to be

Breakdown of Σήμερα δεν έχει καύσωνα, αλλά η υγρασία είναι μεγάλη, παρόλο που η πρόγνωση έλεγε κάτι άλλο.

• έχω: to have
• δεν: not
• σήμερα: today

Questions & Answers about Σήμερα δεν έχει καύσωνα, αλλά η υγρασία είναι μεγάλη, παρόλο που η πρόγνωση έλεγε κάτι άλλο.

Why does Greek use έχει in δεν έχει καύσωνα for the weather?

Greek often uses έχει (it has / there is) in impersonal weather expressions.

So έχει καύσωνα is a normal Greek way to say that heatwave conditions exist. It does not literally feel like English it has a heatwave to Greek speakers; it is just a standard weather pattern.

You will hear similar expressions such as:

• έχει ζέστη = it’s hot
• έχει κρύο = it’s cold
• έχει αέρα = it’s windy
• έχει ομίχλη = it’s foggy

Greek often avoids the dummy subject it that English needs in weather sentences.

Why is it καύσωνα and not καύσωνας here?

Because καύσωνα is the accusative singular form of ο καύσωνας.

• Nominative: ο καύσωνας
• Accusative: τον καύσωνα

After έχει, the noun functions like a direct object, so Greek uses the accusative:

• Έχει καύσωνα.

This is very common in Greek weather expressions and fixed phrases.

Why is there no article before καύσωνα?

Because Greek often leaves out the article when talking about a general condition or phenomenon in expressions like this.

So:

• έχει καύσωνα = there is a heatwave / it’s heatwave-level hot

This sounds more natural than using the article in this sentence. If you said έχει τον καύσωνα, it would usually sound wrong here.