Bedeutung
Very close to a state or event.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'prothyron' was a key feature in ancient homes, serving as a buffer between the public street and private life. This architectural reality shaped the Greek mind to see transitions as physical spaces. During the 2010-2018 financial crisis, 'στα πρόθυρα' became one of the most used phrases in news, reflecting a decade of living in constant uncertainty. Greeks often use high-intensity language to describe emotions. Being 'on the verge' of tears or madness is a common way to express deep sincerity or frustration. The threshold of a house is considered a sacred or dangerous place in Greek folklore, where spirits might linger. This adds a layer of 'gravity' to the idiom.
The Genitive Rule
Always remember that if a noun follows, it must be in the genitive. 'Στα πρόθυρα της...' is your best friend.
Don't be too dramatic
Using this for small things like 'I'm on the verge of finishing my sandwich' will make you sound like a drama queen/king.
Bedeutung
Very close to a state or event.
The Genitive Rule
Always remember that if a noun follows, it must be in the genitive. 'Στα πρόθυρα της...' is your best friend.
Don't be too dramatic
Using this for small things like 'I'm on the verge of finishing my sandwich' will make you sound like a drama queen/king.
Journalistic Flair
If you are writing an essay for a B2/C1 exam, using this phrase will significantly boost your 'vocabulary range' score.
Emotional Sincerity
In Greece, saying you are 'στα πρόθυρα των δακρύων' is a very common and accepted way to show you are deeply moved.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the article and noun in the genitive.
Η οικονομία της χώρας είναι στα πρόθυρα ______ (κατάρρευση).
After 'στα πρόθυρα', we need the genitive case. 'Κατάρρευση' is feminine, so 'της κατάρρευσης'.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly for a serious situation?
Choose the most natural sentence:
'Στα πρόθυρα' is used for serious emotional or situational states, not chores or physical locations.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
Γιώργος: Πώς πάει η δουλειά; Κώστας: Πολύ άσχημα. Είμαι στα πρόθυρα ______.
When using a verb after 'στα πρόθυρα', we use 'να' + subjunctive.
Match the Greek phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are all standard collocations in both languages.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Where would you most likely see 'Στα πρόθυρα της χρεοκοπίας'?
This phrase is a staple of economic journalism.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Scale
Aufgabensammlung
5 AufgabenΗ οικονομία της χώρας είναι στα πρόθυρα ______ (κατάρρευση).
After 'στα πρόθυρα', we need the genitive case. 'Κατάρρευση' is feminine, so 'της κατάρρευσης'.
Choose the most natural sentence:
'Στα πρόθυρα' is used for serious emotional or situational states, not chores or physical locations.
Γιώργος: Πώς πάει η δουλειά; Κώστας: Πολύ άσχημα. Είμαι στα πρόθυρα ______.
When using a verb after 'στα πρόθυρα', we use 'να' + subjunctive.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are all standard collocations in both languages.
Where would you most likely see 'Στα πρόθυρα της χρεοκοπίας'?
This phrase is a staple of economic journalism.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenYes! You can be 'στα πρόθυρα μιας επιτυχίας' (on the verge of success) or 'μιας ανακάλυψης' (a discovery).
No, it's very common for abstract concepts like 'η οικονομία' (the economy) or 'η χώρα' (the country).
'Κοντά' is simple 'near'. 'Στα πρόθυρα' implies a threshold or a major transition is about to happen.
Yes, in this idiom, the preposition 'στα' (σε + τα) is fixed.
Etymologically, yes. 'Πρόθυμος' comes from 'πρό' + 'θυμός' (soul/spirit), meaning someone whose spirit is 'forward' or ready. They share the 'πρό' prefix but different roots.
Absolutely. 'Ήμουν στα πρόθυρα' (I was on the verge) is very common.
It is neutral to formal. It's perfect for news, business, and serious personal talk.
No, that's a common mistake influenced by English. Use the genitive case instead.
'Κατάρρευσης' (collapse), 'χρεοκοπίας' (bankruptcy), and 'δακρύων' (tears) are the top three.
No, that sounds very strange. Use it for events or states, not calendar time.
Yes, 'στο τσακ' is the informal way to say something almost happened.
It's a soft 'th' like in 'thin' or 'thought', not a hard 'd' or 't'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
στο χείλος του
synonymon the brink of
ένα βήμα πριν
similarone step before
επί θύραις
specialized format the doors
κοντεύω να
similarto be close to
στο τσακ
contrastat the very last moment
