έχω

From Ancient Greek ἔχω (ékhō, “to have”). Cognate with Mariupol Greek э́ху (éxu).

• IPA^(key): /ˈexo/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: έ‧χω

έχω • (écho) (imperfect είχα, past είχα, passive —)

1. to have/hold, in the sense of holding (in one's possession) (a ) property

   Έχω αυτοκίνητο ― Écho aftokínito ― I have a car

   Έχω πονοκέφαλο ― Écho ponokéfalo ― I have a headache

   Μήπως έχεις ένα στυλό; ― Mípos écheis éna styló? ― Do you have a pen?

   Έχω άδεια διαμονής ― Écho ádeia diamonís ― I hold/have a residence permit

   Έχω άδεια οδήγησης ― Écho ádeia odígisis ― I hold/have a driver's license

2. to be (have/hold a property, characteristic)

   Έχει κρύο σήμερα. ― Échei krýo símera. ― It is cold today.

3. to feel, have feelings

   Τι έχεις; Γιατί κλαις; ― Ti écheis; Giatí klais? ― What's with you? Why are you crying? (literally, “What do you have?”)

4. (grammar, auxiliary verb) to have +verbs (or participles) to form perfect tenses.

   έχω διαβάσει ― écho diavásei ― I have read

• Passive voice forms (έχομαι (ékhomai)) exist only as second combining forms in compounds, e.g. κατέχομαι (katéchomai, “owned, possessed”)

• Audio (present indicative):

  (file)

  Audio (imperfect):

  (file)

cat=irregular

Phrases, proverbs:

• έχω τα μάτια μου δεκατέσσερα (écho ta mátia mou dekatéssera, “be on the alert”)