έξω
έξω في 30 ثانية
- Έξω is the Greek adverb for 'outside,' used for physical location and direction.
- It is commonly used in social contexts to mean 'going out' for entertainment.
- When followed by a noun, it must be paired with 'από' (e.g., έξω από το σπίτι).
- It appears in many common idioms like 'έξω φρενών' (furious) and 'έξω από τα νερά μου' (out of my element).
The Greek word έξω (exo) is one of the most fundamental adverbs in the Greek language, primarily meaning 'outside' or 'outdoors.' At its most basic level, it describes a physical position that is not within a confined space, building, or container. For a beginner, it is the first word you learn when you want to describe where you are going when you leave a house or where an object is located relative to a box. However, as you progress in Greek, you will find that έξω is much more than a simple spatial marker; it is a versatile tool used to express social activities, psychological states, and abstract boundaries.
- Spatial Location
- The primary use is to denote being outdoors. If someone asks where the dog is, you might say 'Είναι έξω' (It is outside). This implies the dog is in the yard or the street, rather than inside the house.
Τα παιδιά παίζουν έξω στον κήπο.
- Social Context
- In Greek culture, 'έξω' often refers to social outings. Phrases like 'βγαίνω έξω' (going out) are synonymous with going to a bar, club, or restaurant. It represents the vibrant Greek nightlife and the importance of public social spaces like the plateia (square).
Furthermore, 'έξω' is used in idiomatic expressions to describe being 'out' of a situation or state. For instance, being 'out of your mind' or 'out of breath.' It acts as a boundary marker between the self and the environment. In a professional context, it can mean being 'out of the office' or 'off-site.' Understanding 'έξω' requires recognizing that Greeks view the 'outside' not just as a location, but as a destination for life, breath, and freedom. Whether you are telling someone to 'get out' (Βγες έξω!) in a moment of anger, or inviting a friend to 'go out' (Πάμε έξω;) for a coffee, this word is central to navigating daily interactions in Greece.
Using έξω correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as an adverb and its relationship with prepositions. Unlike English where 'outside' can be a noun, adjective, or preposition, in Greek, 'έξω' is primarily an adverb. When it needs to function like a preposition (e.g., 'outside the box'), it must be paired with 'από'. This structure is vital for A1 and A2 learners to master. You cannot simply say 'έξω το σπίτι'; you must say 'έξω από το σπίτι'.
- Directional Movement
- When combined with verbs of motion like 'πηγαίνω' (go) or 'βγαίνω' (exit), it indicates the direction of travel. 'Πάμε έξω' means 'Let's go outside.'
Βγάλε τα σκουπίδια έξω, σε παρακαλώ.
- Static Position
- When used with the verb 'είμαι' (to be), it describes where something is currently located. 'Το αυτοκίνητο είναι έξω' (The car is outside).
In more advanced syntax, 'έξω' appears in comparative structures. You might hear 'πιο έξω' (further out) when someone is directing you to park a car or move an object. For example, 'Βάλτο λίγο πιο έξω' (Put it a little further out). It can also be used as a prefix in some compound words, though this is less common than the adverbial form. One interesting aspect is how it interacts with the definite article in colloquial speech; sometimes people say 'στα έξω' to refer to external affairs or being 'on the outside' of a social circle. Mastering 'έξω' also means understanding its antonym 'μέσα' (inside). The pair 'μέσα-έξω' is frequently used to describe moving back and forth or being thoroughly familiar with something (knowing it 'inside out').
If you walk through the streets of Athens or Thessaloniki, έξω is a word that will hit your ears constantly. It is the soundtrack of Greek public life. You will hear it at the 'laiki agora' (street market) when vendors tell you to put your bags 'έξω' from their stall. You will hear it in the frantic shouts of parents at the playground: 'Μη βγαίνεις έξω από το πάρκο!' (Don't go outside the park!). It is a word of boundaries and social invitations.
- At the Restaurant
- The most common question you'll hear when arriving at a taverna is 'Μέσα ή έξω;' (Inside or outside?). Due to the beautiful weather, 'έξω' is almost always the preferred answer.
Θα θέλαμε ένα τραπέζι έξω, αν είναι εύκολο.
- In Pop Culture
- Greek songs are filled with references to 'έξω'. It represents freedom, meeting a lover, or leaving a bad relationship. Lyrics like 'βγαίνω έξω να ξεχάσω' (I'm going out to forget) are staples of the 'laiko' genre.
Beyond the literal, 'έξω' is used in the workplace. If a colleague is not at their desk, someone might say 'Είναι έξω για δουλειά' (He's out for work/on a field assignment). In the news, you might hear about 'εξωτερική πολιτική' (foreign policy), where the root 'εξω-' denotes matters 'outside' the country. Even in technology, 'έξω' is used; 'βγες έξω' can be a way to tell someone to log out or exit an application in a very informal way. The word is pervasive because Greek culture is fundamentally an 'outside' culture—life happens on balconies, in squares, and on the streets.
For English speakers, the most frequent error when using έξω is the omission of the preposition 'από'. In English, 'outside' can directly precede a noun ('outside the house'). In Greek, this is a grammatical impossibility. You must always bridge 'έξω' and the noun with 'από'. Incorrect: 'Έξω το σπίτι.' Correct: 'Έξω από το σπίτι.'
- Confusing 'έξω' with 'εκτός'
- While both can mean 'outside' or 'except,' 'εκτός' is more formal and often used for abstract exclusions (e.g., 'εκτός λειτουργίας' - out of order). Using 'έξω λειτουργίας' would sound very strange.
Λάθος: Είμαι έξω το αυτοκίνητο. Σωστό: Είμαι έξω από το αυτοκίνητο.
- Word Order with Pronouns
- Learners often struggle with where to put 'έξω' when using verbs. Usually, it follows the verb. Saying 'Έξω πήγα' instead of 'Πήγα έξω' emphasizes the 'outside' in a way that might sound poetic or slightly unnatural in daily speech.
Another common mistake is using 'έξω' when you mean 'abroad.' While 'στο εξωτερικό' (in the exterior/abroad) shares the same root, simply saying 'είμαι έξω' does not typically mean you are in another country; it means you are literally outside the room or building you were just in. If you want to say you are going abroad, use 'θα πάω στο εξωτερικό'. Additionally, be careful with the phrase 'έξω από τα νερά μου'. If you forget the 'από', the idiom 'out of my waters' (meaning 'out of my element') loses its meaning entirely. Precision with prepositions is the hallmark of a student moving from A1 to B1.
While έξω is the go-to word for 'outside,' Greek offers several alternatives depending on the register and specific context. Understanding these nuances will make your Greek sound more natural and sophisticated.
- Εκτός (Ektos)
- More formal than 'έξω'. It is used in technical contexts (e.g., 'εκτός σύνδεσης' - offline) and to mean 'except.' For example, 'Όλοι ήρθαν εκτός από τον Γιάννη' (Everyone came except for John).
Το ασανσέρ είναι εκτός λειτουργίας.
- Υπαίθρια (Ypaithria)
- This is an adjective/adverb meaning 'in the open air.' You use it for 'open-air' cinemas (υπαίθριος κινηματογράφος) or markets. It sounds more descriptive and slightly more formal than just 'έξω'.
There is also 'παραέξω' (para-exo), which means 'a bit further out' or 'on the outskirts.' This is very useful when giving directions in a city. If someone asks where a shop is, you might say 'Είναι λίγο παραέξω' (It's a bit further out [from the center]). Another term is 'εξωτερικά' (exoterika), which is the adverbial form of 'external.' You use this when discussing the exterior of a building (e.g., 'Το σπίτι είναι όμορφο εξωτερικά' - The house is beautiful externally). Lastly, in very informal slang, you might hear 'έξω-έξω' (repeated) to emphasize being right on the edge or completely out. Choosing between these words depends on whether you are talking about physical space, an abstract exclusion, or the stylistic quality of being outdoors.
How Formal Is It?
حقيقة ممتعة
The root of 'έξω' is found in many English words like 'exoskeleton,' 'exotic,' and 'exorcism.'
دليل النطق
- Pronouncing the 'x' (ξ) as a simple 's'. It should be a 'ks' sound.
- Stressing the second syllable (ex-O), which is incorrect.
- Making the 'o' sound like an 'oo'.
مستوى الصعوبة
Very easy to recognize and read.
Requires remembering the 'ks' sound (ξ) and the 'από' rule.
Easy to pronounce, but idioms require practice.
Distinct sound, usually clear in speech.
ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك
المتطلبات الأساسية
تعلّم لاحقاً
متقدم
أمثلة حسب المستوى
Πάμε έξω;
Shall we go outside?
Simple adverbial use.
Είναι έξω.
He/She/It is outside.
Used with the verb 'είμαι'.
Βγες έξω!
Go out!
Imperative form of 'βγαίνω'.
Το σκυλί είναι έξω.
The dog is outside.
Subject-Verb-Adverb.
Κάνει κρύο έξω.
It is cold outside.
Describing weather.
Θέλω να κάτσω έξω.
I want to sit outside.
Infinitive-like structure with 'να'.
Η μπάλα πήγε έξω.
The ball went out.
Directional adverb.
Περίμενε έξω.
Wait outside.
Imperative 'wait'.
Είμαι έξω από το σπίτι σου.
I am outside your house.
Use of 'από' to connect with a noun.
Το αυτοκίνητο είναι έξω από το πάρκινγκ.
The car is outside the parking lot.
Prepositional phrase.
Βγαίνουμε έξω κάθε Σάββατο.
We go out every Saturday.
Social use of 'βγαίνω έξω'.
Μην αφήνεις τα παπούτσια έξω.
Don't leave the shoes outside.
Negative imperative.
Πήγαμε λίγο πιο έξω από την πόλη.
We went a little further out from the city.
Comparative 'πιο έξω'.
Έχει πολύ ήλιο έξω.
It is very sunny outside.
Weather description.
Σε περιμένω έξω.
I am waiting for you outside.
Object pronoun 'σε'.
Το κλειδί είναι έξω από την πόρτα.
The key is outside the door.
Spatial relationship.
Σήμερα νιώθω έξω από τα νερά μου.
Today I feel out of my element.
Idiomatic expression.
Μας είπε την αλήθεια έξω από τα δόντια.
He told us the truth bluntly.
Idiomatic expression.
Αυτό που λες είναι έξω από το θέμα.
What you are saying is off-topic.
Abstract use.
Ήταν έξω από τον έλεγχό μου.
It was out of my control.
Abstract boundary.
Βγήκαμε έξω για ένα ποτό.
We went out for a drink.
Social context.
Ο Γιάννης είναι έξω για δουλειά.
Yiannis is out for work.
Professional context.
Το σπίτι είναι βαμμένο μόνο έξω.
The house is painted only on the outside.
Adverbial use.
Έπεσε έξω στις προβλέψεις του.
He was wrong in his predictions.
Idiomatic 'πέφτω έξω'.
Όταν το έμαθε, έγινε έξω φρενών.
When he found out, he became furious.
Fixed idiomatic phrase.
Είναι ένας άνθρωπος έξω καρδιά.
He is an open-hearted person.
Compound idiomatic descriptor.
Η πρότασή σου είναι έξω από την πραγματικότητα.
Your proposal is out of touch with reality.
Metaphorical boundary.
Δουλεύει ως εξωτερικός συνεργάτης.
He works as an external collaborator.
Professional terminology.
Μην μένεις έξω από τις εξελίξεις.
Don't stay out of the developments.
Abstract exclusion.
Το κτίριο είναι εντυπωσιακό εξωτερικά.
The building is impressive externally.
Adverb 'εξωτερικά'.
Όλα πήγαν έξω από το πρόγραμμα.
Everything went off-schedule.
Departure from a plan.
Είναι έξω από τη δικαιοδοσία μου.
It is outside my jurisdiction.
Formal/legal use.
Η συμπεριφορά του ήταν έξω από κάθε όριο.
His behavior was beyond every limit.
Intensified abstract use.
Αυτό είναι εντελώς έξω από το πνεύμα του νόμου.
This is completely outside the spirit of the law.
Legal/Philosophical nuance.
Ζει έξω από τις κοινωνικές συμβάσεις.
He lives outside social conventions.
Sociological context.
Η ομορφιά της είναι έξω από αυτόν τον κόσμο.
Her beauty is out of this world.
Poetic/Hyperbolic use.
Έμεινε έξω από τον κυβερνητικό σχηματισμό.
He was left out of the government formation.
Political context.
Δεν μπορούμε να βγούμε έξω από τον εαυτό μας.
We cannot go outside of ourselves.
Philosophical concept.
Η επιτυχία του ήταν έξω από κάθε προσδοκία.
His success was beyond all expectation.
Formal abstract use.
Το πλοίο βρίσκεται έξω από το λιμάνι.
The ship is outside the harbor.
Nautical/Spatial precision.
Η θεωρία του κινείται έξω από το παραδεκτό επιστημονικό πλαίσιο.
His theory moves outside the accepted scientific framework.
Academic/Epistemological use.
Ένα έργο που στέκει έξω από τον χρόνο.
A work that stands outside of time.
Literary/Temporal abstraction.
Η απόφαση αυτή είναι έξω από κάθε λογική ακολουθία.
This decision is outside of any logical sequence.
High-level logical critique.
Βρίσκεται έξω από τα στενά όρια της ειδικότητάς του.
He is outside the narrow limits of his specialty.
Professional/Intellectual nuance.
Η αλήθεια βρίσκεται έξω από τις αισθήσεις.
The truth lies outside the senses.
Metaphysical use.
Παραμένει έξω από το βεληνεκές των εχθρικών πυρών.
It remains outside the range of enemy fire.
Military/Formal context.
Η εμπειρία αυτή ήταν έξω από τα συνήθη.
This experience was out of the ordinary.
Subtle formal phrasing.
Εκτοξεύτηκε έξω από την τροχιά του.
It was launched out of its orbit.
Technical/Scientific use.
المرادفات
الأضداد
تلازمات شائعة
العبارات الشائعة
— A standard question at restaurants asking if you want to sit indoors or outdoors.
Καλησπέρα, μέσα ή έξω θα καθίσετε;
— Stating that someone is currently not inside or is out of the house.
Η Μαρία δεν είναι εδώ, είναι έξω.
— Telling someone to look out the window or look at the surroundings.
Κοίτα έξω, χιονίζει!
— Past tense indicating that a group went out for entertainment.
Χθες βγήκαμε έξω και περάσαμε τέλεια.
— Directing someone to move something slightly further out.
Άφησε την τσάντα λίγο πιο έξω.
تعبيرات اصطلاحية
— To speak frankly, bluntly, or without holding back.
Του τα είπα έξω από τα δόντια και ησύχασα.
Informal— To feel out of place or uncomfortable in a situation.
Στο πάρτι ένιωθα έξω από τα νερά μου.
Neutral— To be wrong in a prediction, calculation, or judgment.
Έπεσα έξω, νόμιζα ότι θα έρθει.
Neutral— To be a cheerful, open-hearted, and carefree person.
Ο παππούς μου ήταν άνθρωπος έξω καρδιά.
Informal— To learn something by heart or memorize it perfectly.
Έμαθα το ποίημα απ' έξω.
Neutral— To be uninvolved in a situation (and thus find it easier to judge).
Έξω από το χορό, πολλά τραγούδια λες.
Proverbial— To work or study so hard that one's eyes hurt.
Έβγαλα τα μάτια μου έξω να διαβάζω.
Informal— Right at the entrance, very close by.
Η ευκαιρία είναι έξω από την πόρτα σου.
Metaphoricalعائلة الكلمة
الأسماء
الأفعال
الصفات
مرتبط
احفظها
وسيلة تذكّر
Think of an 'Exoplanet' – it is a planet that exists 'έξω' (outside) of our solar system.
ربط بصري
Imagine an 'EXIT' sign. The 'EX' in Exit is the same root as 'EXO' (έξω). When you exit, you go 'έξω'.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Try to use 'έξω' in three different ways today: as a location (where you are), as a direction (where you are going), and in an idiom (how you feel).
أصل الكلمة
Derived from the Ancient Greek adverb 'ἔξω' (éxō), which comes from the preposition 'ἐκ' (ek), meaning 'out of' or 'from'.
المعنى الأصلي: Outwards, outside, or beyond.
Indo-European -> Hellenic -> Greek.السياق الثقافي
Be careful with the command 'Έξω!' as it can be very rude or aggressive depending on the tone.
English speakers often use 'outside' as a noun (e.g., 'the outside of the house'), but Greeks use the adjective/adverb form more strictly.
تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية
سياقات واقعية
Dining
- Θέλουμε τραπέζι έξω.
- Έχει ζέστη έξω;
- Μπορούμε να κάτσουμε έξω;
- Σερβίρετε έξω;
Directions
- Είναι έξω από την πόλη.
- Στρίψτε έξω από το πάρκινγκ.
- Πιο έξω από το κέντρο.
- Βγείτε έξω στην εθνική.
Home
- Βγάλε το σκύλο έξω.
- Άφησε τα κλειδιά έξω.
- Ποιος είναι έξω;
- Κλείδωσε την εξώπορτα.
Socializing
- Θα βγούμε έξω απόψε;
- Πού θα πάμε έξω;
- Βγαίνω έξω συχνά.
- Περάσαμε ωραία έξω.
Weather
Summary
The word 'έξω' is a foundational spatial adverb in Greek. While its primary meaning is 'outside,' its real power lies in its social and idiomatic versatility. Mastering it requires learning the 'έξω από' structure for physical objects and phrases like 'βγαίνω έξω' for social life.
- Έξω is the Greek adverb for 'outside,' used for physical location and direction.
- It is commonly used in social contexts to mean 'going out' for entertainment.
- When followed by a noun, it must be paired with 'από' (e.g., έξω από το σπίτι).
- It appears in many common idioms like 'έξω φρενών' (furious) and 'έξω από τα νερά μου' (out of my element).
محتوى ذو صلة
عبارات ذات صلة
مزيد من كلمات general
άλλωστε
A2besides, after all
άμεσα
B2يجب أن نتحرك άμεσα (فوراً).
άμεσος
B1without intervening factors or delay
άνθρωπος
A1الإنسان، الشخص.
άποψη
B1a view or judgment formed about something
άρνηση
B2الرفض لقبول أو تصديق شيء ما. 'كان رفضه للمساعدة مفاجئًا.'
άσπρος
A1white
άσχημος
A2ugly
έγκαιρος
B1timely, on time
έκτακτος
B1شيء غير عادي أو حالة طوارئ.