B2 noun 8 دقيقة للقراءة

εξέγερση

an act of violent uprising

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'εξέγερση' in your own speech, but you might see it in simple news headlines or history posters in Greece. Think of it as a 'big protest' where people are very angry and want to change things. It is like when many people say 'No!' to the government together. You can remember it as a 'rising up'. In simple Greek, we can say: 'Οι άνθρωποι είναι θυμωμένοι. Κάνουν μια εξέγερση.' (The people are angry. They are making an uprising). It is a feminine word, so we use 'η' (η εξέγερση). You might see it on TV when there are many people in the streets. At this level, just recognize that it is a serious and important word about politics and history.
At the A2 level, you can start to understand 'εξέγερση' as a noun describing a historical event. You might learn about the 'Athens Polytechnic uprising' (Η εξέγερση του Πολυτεχνείου) which is very important in Greek culture. You can use it in simple sentences with verbs like 'γίνεται' (happens) or 'είναι' (is). For example: 'Η εξέγερση ήταν μεγάλη' (The uprising was big). You should know that it is a feminine noun and its plural is 'εξεγέρσεις'. It is more intense than a simple 'διαδήλωση' (protest). If you see a lot of people fighting for their rights in a history book, the word used will likely be 'εξέγερση'. It's a key word for understanding Greek national holidays in November.
At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'εξέγερση' to describe social movements and historical events with more detail. You can use adjectives like 'λαϊκή' (popular) or 'αιματηρή' (bloody). You should also be comfortable with the genitive case 'της εξέγερσης'. For example: 'Τα αίτια της εξέγερσης ήταν η φτώχεια και η αδικία' (The causes of the uprising were poverty and injustice). You can distinguish it from 'επανάσταση' (revolution), knowing that an uprising is the act of rising up, while a revolution is the whole change. You might hear it in the news when people in other countries are rebelling. You can also use the verb 'εξεγείρομαι' (to rise up/rebel) which is related to this noun.
At the B2 level, which is the target level for this word, you should use 'εξέγερση' with precision in political and historical discussions. You understand the nuance that it implies an organized but often spontaneous act of defiance against authority. You can use it with a variety of verbs like 'υποκινώ' (instigate), 'καταστέλλω' (suppress), or 'ξεσπά' (breaks out). You are aware of its historical significance in Greece, particularly the 1973 uprising, and can discuss it using appropriate vocabulary. You can also use it in more formal contexts, such as writing an essay about social unrest. You understand that 'εξέγερση' is often the catalyst for broader political change. You can also handle the plural 'εξεγέρσεις' in complex sentences.
At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of 'εξέγερση' including its metaphorical and academic uses. You can discuss the sociological and psychological aspects of an uprising, using the word in phrases like 'εξέγερση των συνειδήσεων' (uprising of consciences). You are familiar with its etymology (εκ + έγερση) and how that informs its meaning of 'awakening'. You can use the word in formal academic papers or high-level political debates, contrasting it with terms like 'ανταρσία' (mutiny), 'στάση' (revolt), or 'κοινωνική αναταραχή' (social unrest). You also recognize the word in literature and poetry, where it might symbolize a personal or spiritual struggle against constraints. Your usage is natural, and you correctly apply all grammatical cases and plural forms.
At the C2 level, you master 'εξέγερση' in all its complexity, including its role in the Greek national identity and political rhetoric. You can analyze the 'discourse of uprising' in Greek history, from the 1821 Revolution (which started with various 'εξεγέρσεις') to modern-day protests. You understand the subtle political connotations—how different political groups might use the word to frame an event as either a heroic struggle or a chaotic riot. You can use the word with sophisticated modifiers and in complex syntactical structures. You are also aware of rare or archaic forms of the word used in legal or very formal historical texts. Your understanding includes the philosophical implications of 'εξέγερση' as a fundamental human right to resist tyranny.

εξέγερση في 30 ثانية

  • A powerful noun for a collective uprising or rebellion against authority.
  • Deeply linked to Greek history, especially the 1973 Polytechnic uprising.
  • Feminine gender (η εξέγερση) with a specific declension pattern in Modern Greek.
  • More intense than a protest but less structurally final than a revolution.

The Greek word εξέγερση (exégersi) is a powerful and evocative feminine noun that describes an act of violent or organized uprising, rebellion, or insurrection against an established authority or government. At its core, the word carries the weight of a collective 'awakening' or 'rising up,' derived from the verb εξεγείρομαι, which means to rise up or to be roused. In the Greek linguistic consciousness, this word is not merely a political term; it is a historical and emotional anchor. It signifies a moment where the pressure of oppression or dissatisfaction becomes so great that it bursts into the public sphere, often through physical resistance or mass demonstrations that challenge the status quo.

Historical Context
The term is most famously associated with the 'Athens Polytechnic uprising' (Η εξέγερση του Πολυτεχνείου) of 1973, which was a massive student-led protest against the Greek military junta. In this context, the word represents courage, democratic struggle, and the pivotal moment that led to the eventual fall of the dictatorship.

When using εξέγερση, one is usually referring to an event that is more spontaneous and perhaps less structurally complete than a full επανάσταση (revolution), although the two are often related. An uprising is the spark; the revolution is the total change of the system. You will hear this word in news reports discussing civil unrest, in history classes when analyzing the causes of major political shifts, and in political science debates regarding the right to resist authority. It captures the transition from passive endurance to active defiance.

Η λαϊκή εξέγερση οδήγησε στην ανατροπή της κυβέρνησης μέσα σε λίγες μόνο ημέρες.

The word is composed of the prefix εκ- (out/away) and έγερση (the act of waking or raising). This suggests a movement from a state of being 'down' or 'asleep' to standing up and moving outward. It is this dynamic quality that makes the word so potent in Greek political rhetoric. It is also used metaphorically to describe a sudden, intense surge of emotion or a 'rebellion' of the senses, though its primary usage remains firmly rooted in the sociopolitical realm. Understanding this word requires an appreciation of the Greek spirit of αντίσταση (resistance), which has been a recurring theme in the nation's history from the Ottoman era to the modern day.

Register and Nuance
In formal news (Kathimerini, To Vima), you will see it used to describe international events like the Arab Spring (Η Αραβική Άνοιξη ξεκίνησε ως μια σειρά από εξεγέρσεις). In informal settings, it might be used to describe a chaotic situation, though this is less common than its heavy political usage.

Οι ιστορικοί μελετούν τα αίτια που προκάλεσαν την εξέγερση των αγροτών τον 19ο αιώνα.

Using the word εξέγερση correctly in a sentence requires an understanding of its grammatical behavior as a feminine noun ending in . In Modern Greek, it follows the pattern of ancient third-declension nouns that have been adapted, meaning its plural is εξεγέρσεις and its genitive singular is εξέγερσης. When you are constructing a sentence, you will often find it paired with verbs that describe the beginning, the middle, or the end of a conflict.

Common Verb Pairings
Verbs like ξεσπά (breaks out), υποκινώ (instigate), καταστέλλω (suppress), and συμμετέχω (participate) are the most frequent companions to this noun. For example: 'Η εξέγερση ξέσπασε τα ξημερώματα' (The uprising broke out at dawn).

Syntactically, εξέγερση often takes a prepositional phrase to indicate who is rebelling or what they are rebelling against. You might say εξέγερση των φοιτητών (uprising of the students) or εξέγερση κατά του καθεστώτος (uprising against the regime). Note the use of the genitive case for the 'who' and the preposition κατά (against) followed by the genitive for the 'target'. This structure is standard in academic and journalistic Greek.

Ο στρατός κλήθηκε να καταστείλει την ένοπλη εξέγερση στις επαρχίες.

Adjectives also play a crucial role in specifying the nature of the uprising. Common adjectives include λαϊκή (popular), αιματηρή (bloody), γενικευμένη (generalized), and αποτυχημένη (failed). For instance, 'Μια αιματηρή εξέγερση συγκλόνισε τη χώρα' (A bloody uprising shocked the country). Using these adjectives helps provide the necessary context to distinguish a minor riot from a significant historical event. In a more metaphorical sense, you might hear about an 'εξέγερση των συνειδήσεων' (an uprising of consciences), which refers to a collective moral awakening.

Κανείς δεν περίμενε ότι μια μικρή διαμαρτυρία θα εξελισσόταν σε μια τέτοιας κλίμακας εξέγερση.

Prepositional Usage
To say 'during the uprising', use 'κατά τη διάρκεια της εξέγερσης'. To say 'after the uprising', use 'μετά την εξέγερση'. These phrases are essential for chronological storytelling in Greek.

In the modern Greek-speaking world, εξέγερση is a word that carries significant weight and is frequently encountered in various spheres of life. Perhaps the most prominent place you will hear it is in the media. Every year in mid-November, the word dominates the news cycles, radio broadcasts, and television documentaries as Greece commemorates the 'Athens Polytechnic uprising'. You will hear politicians giving speeches about the 'spirit of the uprising' (το πνεύμα της εξέγερσης) and journalists interviewing survivors of the 1973 events.

In the Media
News anchors use it to describe global events. When reporting on the 'Arab Spring', they refer to it as 'η Αραβική Άνοιξη των εξεγέρσεων'. When discussing civil unrest in the United States or Europe, the word is used to denote a level of intensity that goes beyond a simple 'διαδήλωση' (demonstration).

In educational settings, students encounter εξέγερση from a very young age. History textbooks are filled with accounts of the various uprisings against the Ottoman Empire, such as the 'εξέγερση της Χίου' or the 'εξέγερση στην Κρήτη'. In these contexts, the word is taught as a heroic and necessary step toward national independence. It is also a staple of university-level political science and sociology courses, where it is analyzed as a social phenomenon involving group psychology and political theory.

Στα δελτία ειδήσεων, η λέξη εξέγερση χρησιμοποιείται συχνά για να περιγράψει την ένταση στις φυλακές.

In the streets of Athens, particularly in neighborhoods with a strong activist presence like Exarcheia, you will see the word spray-painted on walls in slogans like 'Η εξέγερση συνεχίζεται' (The uprising continues). Here, it takes on a more radical, contemporary meaning, symbolizing ongoing resistance against the current economic or political system. It is also found in the lyrics of 'rebetiko' and modern political songs, where it often rhymes with words like λευτεριά (freedom) or δικαιοσύνη (justice).

Η ταινία εξιστορεί την εξέγερση των σκλάβων στην αρχαία Ρώμη.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with the word εξέγερση is confusing it with other similar terms like επανάσταση (revolution) or διαδήλωση (demonstration). While they all belong to the same semantic field of political action, their meanings are distinct. An εξέγερση is specifically an uprising—a sudden, often violent act of rising up. A διαδήλωση is a peaceful march or protest. Calling a peaceful protest an 'εξέγερση' might sound overly dramatic or imply violence that didn't occur.

Confusion with 'Επανάσταση'
An 'επανάσταση' usually implies a successful or long-term structural change in government or society (e.g., The Greek Revolution of 1821). An 'εξέγερση' can be a part of a revolution, or it can be a standalone event that is eventually suppressed. Using 'επανάσταση' for a three-day student riot is a lexical error.

Grammatically, the declension of εξέγερση causes many headaches. Because it belongs to the 'learned' feminine nouns (those ending in -η, -εως in Ancient Greek), its Modern Greek forms can be tricky. Many learners forget the genitive singular ending -ης (Modern) or -εως (Formal/Archaic). In everyday speech, always use της εξέγερσης. Avoid the mistake of keeping the nominative form in other cases, which is a common error for those used to English's lack of case endings.

Λάθος: Μετά την εξέγερση (genitive needed). Σωστό: Μετά την εξέγερση (Wait, in the accusative it is indeed 'εξέγερση'). Let's look at the genitive: Τα αίτια της εξέγερσης.

Another common mistake is the misuse of the plural form. The plural εξεγέρσεις is used to describe multiple distinct events. However, learners sometimes use it to describe a single, long-lasting conflict. If you are talking about the 1973 events, it is singular: η εξέγερση. If you are talking about the various riots across several cities, then it is plural: οι εξεγέρσεις. Precision in number is key to sounding like a native speaker.

Πολλοί μπερδεύουν την εξέγερση με μια απλή στάση εργασίας.

To truly master the use of εξέγερση, it is helpful to explore its synonyms and related terms, each of which carries a slightly different flavor. The most common synonym is ξεσηκωμός (ksesikomós). While εξέγερση sounds more formal and academic, ξεσηκωμός is more visceral and 'folk'. It is the word you would find in a poem or a traditional song about people rising up against an invader. It literally means 'the act of getting everyone up from their seats/beds'.

Comparison Table
  • Επανάσταση: Revolution (Total change of system).
  • Ανταρσία: Mutiny (Usually within a military or ship context).
  • Στάση: Revolt/Insurrection (Often smaller scale or specific to a group).
  • Διαδήλωση: Demonstration (Peaceful protest).

Another alternative is ανταρσία (antarsía), which is the direct equivalent of 'mutiny' or 'rebellion'. It is used when a group of people—often subordinates—defy their leaders. For example, a mutiny on a ship is an ανταρσία, not typically an εξέγερση. On the other hand, στάση (stási) can mean a 'halt' or 'stop', but in a political context, it refers to a minor revolt or an act of defiance by a specific group, such as a 'military revolt' (στρατιωτική στάση).

Ο ξεσηκωμός του Γένους το 1821 ξεκίνησε από λίγους αλλά αγκάλιασε πολλούς.

In academic writing, you might encounter the term κοινωνική αναταραχή (social unrest), which is a broader and more neutral way to describe the conditions that lead to an uprising. If you want to describe a violent, unorganized outburst, you might use ταραχές (riots/disturbances). Choosing between these words depends entirely on the scale, the organization, and the intent of the event you are describing. Εξέγερση remains the most balanced term for a significant, politically motivated uprising.

Η στάση των στρατιωτών κατεστάλη αμέσως από τις αρχές.

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

Η εξέγερση είναι μεγάλη.

The uprising is big.

Feminine singular noun 'η εξέγερση'.

2

Ο κόσμος κάνει μια εξέγερση.

The people are making an uprising.

Accusative case: 'μια εξέγερση'.

3

Δεν θέλουμε εξέγερση.

We do not want an uprising.

Simple negative sentence.

4

Η εξέγερση αρχίζει τώρα.

The uprising is starting now.

Present tense verb 'αρχίζει'.

5

Πού είναι η εξέγερση;

Where is the uprising?

Interrogative sentence.

6

Η εξέγερση είναι στην Αθήνα.

The uprising is in Athens.

Prepositional phrase 'στην Αθήνα'.

7

Βλέπω την εξέγερση στην τηλεόραση.

I see the uprising on TV.

Accusative 'την εξέγερση'.

8

Η εξέγερση των φοιτητών.

The uprising of the students.

Genitive plural 'των φοιτητών'.

1

Η εξέγερση έγινε το 1973.

The uprising happened in 1973.

Past tense 'έγινε'.

2

Πολλοί άνθρωποι συμμετείχαν στην εξέγερση.

Many people participated in the uprising.

Preposition 'στην' (σε + την).

3

Η εξέγερση ήταν πολύ σημαντική.

The uprising was very important.

Adjective 'σημαντική' matching feminine noun.

4

Διάβασα για την εξέγερση στο σχολείο.

I read about the uprising at school.

Preposition 'για' (about).

5

Υπάρχουν πολλές εξεγέρσεις στην ιστορία.

There are many uprisings in history.

Plural form 'εξεγέρσεις'.

6

Η εξέγερση άλλαξε τη χώρα.

The uprising changed the country.

Aorist tense 'άλλαξε'.

7

Φοβόμαστε μια νέα εξέγερση.

We are afraid of a new uprising.

Adjective 'νέα' (new).

8

Η εξέγερση ξεκίνησε από το πανεπιστήμιο.

The uprising started from the university.

Preposition 'από' (from).

1

Η λαϊκή εξέγερση ανάγκασε τον βασιλιά να φύγει.

The popular uprising forced the king to leave.

Compound sentence with 'ανάγκασε'.

2

Η κυβέρνηση προσπάθησε να σταματήσει την εξέγερση.

The government tried to stop the uprising.

Infinitive-like construction 'να σταματήσει'.

3

Οι αιτίες της εξέγερσης ήταν κυρίως οικονομικές.

The causes of the uprising were mainly economic.

Genitive singular 'της εξέγερσης'.

4

Μετά την εξέγερση, όλα ήταν διαφορετικά.

After the uprising, everything was different.

Prepositional phrase 'Μετά την'.

5

Η εξέγερση των αγροτών κατεστάλη βίαια.

The peasant uprising was violently suppressed.

Passive voice 'κατεστάλη'.

6

Κανείς δεν περίμενε μια τέτοια εξέγερση.

No one expected such an uprising.

Demonstrative 'τέτοια'.

7

Η εξέγερση εξαπλώθηκε σε όλη την επικράτεια.

The uprising spread throughout the territory.

Verb 'εξαπλώθηκε' (spread).

8

Συμμετείχε ενεργά στην εξέγερση κατά της δικτατορίας.

He participated actively in the uprising against the dictatorship.

Prepositional phrase 'κατά της'.

1

Η εξέγερση του Πολυτεχνείου αποτελεί ορόσημο για τη δημοκρατία.

The Polytechnic uprising is a landmark for democracy.

High-level noun 'ορόσημο' (landmark).

2

Οι αρχές φοβούνται το ξέσπασμα μιας νέας εξέγερσης.

The authorities fear the outbreak of a new uprising.

Noun 'ξέσπασμα' (outbreak).

3

Η εξέγερση υποκινήθηκε από εξωτερικούς παράγοντες.

The uprising was instigated by external factors.

Passive verb 'υποκινήθηκε'.

4

Η βίαιη καταστολή της εξέγερσης προκάλεσε διεθνή κατακραυγή.

The violent suppression of the uprising caused international outcry.

Genitive 'της εξέγερσης'.

5

Η εξέγερση των φυλακισμένων έληξε μετά από διαπραγματεύσεις.

The prisoners' uprising ended after negotiations.

Verb 'έληξε' (ended).

6

Δεν ήταν μια απλή διαμαρτυρία, αλλά μια πραγματική εξέγερση.

It wasn't a simple protest, but a real uprising.

Conjunction 'αλλά' (but).

7

Η εξέγερση αυτή είχε βαθιά κοινωνικά αίτια.

This uprising had deep social causes.

Adjective 'βαθιά' (deep).

8

Πολλοί θεωρούν την εξέγερση ως την αρχή του τέλους του καθεστώτος.

Many consider the uprising as the beginning of the end for the regime.

Complex object structure.

1

Η εξέγερση των συνειδήσεων είναι απαραίτητη για την κοινωνική αλλαγή.

The uprising of consciences is necessary for social change.

Metaphorical use of 'εξέγερση'.

2

Η ιστορική ανάλυση της εξέγερσης αποκαλύπτει πολλές αντιφάσεις.

The historical analysis of the uprising reveals many contradictions.

Formal academic vocabulary.

3

Το κίνημα εξελίχθηκε από μια τοπική στάση σε μια γενικευμένη εξέγερση.

The movement evolved from a local revolt into a generalized uprising.

Preposition 'σε' (into).

4

Η εξέγερση κατεπνίγη στο αίμα από τις στρατιωτικές δυνάμεις.

The uprising was drowned in blood by military forces.

Idiomatic passive 'κατεπνίγη στο αίμα'.

5

Η ρητορική της εξέγερσης χρησιμοποιείται συχνά για πολιτικούς σκοπούς.

The rhetoric of uprising is often used for political purposes.

Noun 'ρητορική' (rhetoric).

6

Παρά την αποτυχία της, η εξέγερση άφησε μια ισχυρή παρακαταθήκη.

Despite its failure, the uprising left a strong legacy.

Conjunction 'Παρά' (Despite).

7

Η εξέγερση των δούλων υπό τον Σπάρτακο συγκλόνισε τη Ρώμη.

The slave uprising under Spartacus shocked Rome.

Historical proper names.

8

Η αυθόρμητη φύση της εξέγερσης δυσκόλεψε την οργάνωσή της.

The spontaneous nature of the uprising made its organization difficult.

Adjective 'αυθόρμητη' (spontaneous).

1

Η εξέγερση νοείται ως η έσχατη απάντηση στην τυραννία.

Uprising is understood as the ultimate response to tyranny.

Passive verb 'νοείται' (is understood/conceived).

2

Η διαλεκτική σχέση μεταξύ εξέγερσης και επανάστασης είναι αντικείμενο μελέτης.

The dialectical relationship between uprising and revolution is a subject of study.

Academic term 'διαλεκτική' (dialectical).

3

Η εξέγερση ενσαρκώνει τη συλλογική βούληση για ελευθερία.

The uprising embodies the collective will for freedom.

Verb 'ενσαρκώνει' (embodies).

4

Αναλύοντας τη μορφολογία της εξέγερσης, παρατηρούμε μοτίβα βίας.

Analyzing the morphology of the uprising, we observe patterns of violence.

Participle 'Αναλύοντας' (Analyzing).

5

Η εξέγερση δεν ήταν παρά η κορύφωση χρόνων καταπίεσης.

The uprising was nothing but the culmination of years of oppression.

Structure 'δεν ήταν παρά' (was nothing but).

6

Υπάρχει μια λεπτή γραμμή που χωρίζει την εξέγερση από το χάος.

There is a fine line separating uprising from chaos.

Relative clause 'που χωρίζει'.

7

Η εξέγερση ως φαινόμενο υπερβαίνει τα εθνικά σύνορα.

Uprising as a phenomenon transcends national borders.

Verb 'υπερβαίνει' (transcends).

8

Η μνήμη της εξέγερσης παραμένει ζωντανή μέσω της προφορικής παράδοσης.

The memory of the uprising remains alive through oral tradition.

Noun 'παρακαταθήκη' or 'παράδοση'.

تلازمات شائعة

λαϊκή εξέγερση
ένοπλη εξέγερση
αιματηρή εξέγερση
καταστολή της εξέγερσης
υποκινώ εξέγερση
συμμετέχω στην εξέγερση
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