Lesson 4.1: To Be and To Have
Two important verbs are έχω, to have, and είμαι, to be.
έχω - I have
The first-conjugation verb έχω is regular in the present tense (this is covered in the next lesson).
Verb Table
Verb Έχω · To Have | ||
|---|---|---|
| - | Sing. | Plu. |
| 1st | έχω | έχουμε |
| 2nd | έχεις | έχετε |
| 3rd | έχει | έχουν |
Audio recording: 
NOTE: This recording was made by a non-native speaker of Greek.
We would be grateful to any native speaker who could redo it.
Examples
είμαι- I am
To be in English is expressed in the active voice, but the Greek είμαι is passive, and doesn't have an active form. The ending -μαι is a typical, regular ending for passive verbs. Although we won't be concerned with passive constructions until later, είμαι is so important that you need to get it under your belt right away.
Verb Tables
Verb Είμαι · To Be | ||
|---|---|---|
| - | Sing. | Plu. |
| 1st | είμαι | είμαστε |
| 2nd | είσαι | είστε |
| 3rd | είναι | είναι |
Audio recording:
NOTE: This recording was made by a non-native speaker of Greek.
We would be grateful to any native speaker who could redo it.
Examples
Summary
- We have introduced the verb έχω - to have.
- We have introduced the verb είμαι - to be.
- We have learnt these verbs in the present tense.
Exercises
Now try the exercises here.