المعنى
Feeling physically exhausted
خلفية ثقافية
The 'Mesimeri' (afternoon nap) is a sacred time. Saying you need sleep between 3 PM and 5 PM is socially respected and even protected by noise ordinances. In many Mediterranean cultures, including Greece, late-night socializing is the norm. Expressing a need for sleep is the standard, polite way to signal the end of an evening without offending the host. In modern Greek offices, admitting you need sleep is often a way to bond over shared stress or heavy workloads, reflecting a culture that values hard work but also acknowledges human limits. Greek parents often use this phrase to describe their children's behavior, attributing crankiness to a 'need for sleep' rather than bad behavior.
Use 'Μεγάλη'
Adding 'μεγάλη' (great) before 'ανάγκη' makes you sound much more like a native speaker when you're truly tired.
Preposition Trap
Don't forget the 'από'. While 'έχω ανάγκη ύπνο' is heard in slang, it sounds uneducated in most other contexts.
المعنى
Feeling physically exhausted
Use 'Μεγάλη'
Adding 'μεγάλη' (great) before 'ανάγκη' makes you sound much more like a native speaker when you're truly tired.
Preposition Trap
Don't forget the 'από'. While 'έχω ανάγκη ύπνο' is heard in slang, it sounds uneducated in most other contexts.
The Siesta Excuse
If you need to get off a phone call in the afternoon, this is the perfect, polite excuse.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the missing preposition and noun in the correct case.
Δούλεψα 10 ώρες και τώρα έχω ανάγκη ____ ____.
The phrase requires the preposition 'από' followed by the noun in the accusative case 'ύπνο'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to tell a friend you are exhausted and need to sleep?
Πώς θα το πεις σε έναν φίλο;
Option B follows the standard grammatical pattern used in Greece.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate situation.
Πότε θα έλεγες 'Έχω μεγάλη ανάγκη από ύπνο';
The phrase specifically refers to physical exhaustion and the need for rest.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the verb 'έχω'.
— Γιατί φεύγεις τόσο νωρίς; — Γιατί ο Γιώργος και εγώ ____ ανάγκη από ύπνο.
Since the subject is 'Ο Γιώργος και εγώ' (we), the verb must be in the first person plural.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Tiredness Levels
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينΔούλεψα 10 ώρες και τώρα έχω ανάγκη ____ ____.
The phrase requires the preposition 'από' followed by the noun in the accusative case 'ύπνο'.
Πώς θα το πεις σε έναν φίλο;
Option B follows the standard grammatical pattern used in Greece.
Πότε θα έλεγες 'Έχω μεγάλη ανάγκη από ύπνο';
The phrase specifically refers to physical exhaustion and the need for rest.
— Γιατί φεύγεις τόσο νωρίς; — Γιατί ο Γιώργος και εγώ ____ ανάγκη από ύπνο.
Since the subject is 'Ο Γιώργος και εγώ' (we), the verb must be in the first person plural.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNot at all. It's neutral and very common among friends, though 'πεθαίνω για ύπνο' is more 'colorful'.
Yes! You can say 'έχω ανάγκη από βοήθεια' (I need help) or 'έχω ανάγκη από διακοπές' (I need a vacation).
'Θέλω' is 'I want', which can be a whim. 'Έχω ανάγκη' is a necessity.
In standard Greek, yes. In very casual, fast speech, it is sometimes dropped, but it's better to keep it.
Use 'Έχω τεράστια ανάγκη από ύπνο' or 'Έχω τρομερή ανάγκη από ύπνο'.
Yes, it is 'η ανάγκη'. That's why we say 'μεγάλη ανάγκη' (feminine adjective).
Only if you are explaining why you might need a specific schedule, but generally, it's too personal for an interview unless asked about health.
You could say 'είμαι γεμάτος ενέργεια' (I am full of energy) or 'δεν νυστάζω καθόλου' (I'm not sleepy at all).
Yes, in this context, 'sleep' is an uncountable noun in Greek.
It depends on your tone, but generally, it sounds like a statement of fact about your physical state.
عبارات ذات صلة
μου λείπει ύπνος
similarI am lacking sleep
πεθαίνω για ύπνο
synonymI'm dying for sleep
είμαι πτώμα
similarI am a corpse (dead tired)
νυστάζω
builds onI am sleepy
