Bedeutung
Restraining oneself from acting.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is a living fossil of Greece's deep connection to the sea. Even people who have never stepped on a ship use nautical commands in their daily life. During the 2010-2018 financial crisis, this phrase became a national motto for survival. It shifted from a casual idiom to a necessary lifestyle. In Greek culture, being 'excessive' (ipervolikos) is common, but 'doing kratei' is the mark of a 'metrimenos' (measured/balanced) person. While not a religious term, the concept of 'κράτει' aligns with the Orthodox practice of fasting (nisteia), which is essentially 'doing κράτει' on certain foods.
The 'Money' Rule
If you are talking about money in Greece, this is your go-to phrase. It sounds much more natural than 'δεν ξοδεύω'.
Reservation Trap
Never say 'κάνω κράτει' at a restaurant unless you want the waiter to stop bringing food!
Bedeutung
Restraining oneself from acting.
The 'Money' Rule
If you are talking about money in Greece, this is your go-to phrase. It sounds much more natural than 'δεν ξοδεύω'.
Reservation Trap
Never say 'κάνω κράτει' at a restaurant unless you want the waiter to stop bringing food!
C1 Nuance
Use 'κάνω λίγο κράτει' (with 'λίγο') to make your advice sound softer and less like a direct order.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'κάνω' to complete the idiom.
Πέρυσι δεν προσέχαμε, αλλά φέτος πρέπει να ________ κράτει στα έξοδα.
The sentence refers to 'we' (προσέχαμε), so the first person plural 'κάνουμε' is required.
Which of the following is the correct meaning of 'κάνω κράτει'?
Τι σημαίνει 'κάνω κράτει';
The phrase means to limit one's behavior or expenses.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: Your friend is about to buy a 5th pair of shoes they don't need.
You are advising restraint, so 'Κάνε κράτει!' is the correct idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
Α: Θέλεις να πάμε για φαγητό απόψε; Β: Καλύτερα όχι, έχω ξοδέψει πολλά αυτή την εβδομάδα και πρέπει να ________.
The speaker needs to hold back on spending.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Κράτει vs. Κράτηση
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenΠέρυσι δεν προσέχαμε, αλλά φέτος πρέπει να ________ κράτει στα έξοδα.
The sentence refers to 'we' (προσέχαμε), so the first person plural 'κάνουμε' is required.
Τι σημαίνει 'κάνω κράτει';
The phrase means to limit one's behavior or expenses.
Situation: Your friend is about to buy a 5th pair of shoes they don't need.
You are advising restraint, so 'Κάνε κράτει!' is the correct idiom.
Α: Θέλεις να πάμε για φαγητό απόψε; Β: Καλύτερα όχι, έχω ξοδέψει πολλά αυτή την εβδομάδα και πρέπει να ________.
The speaker needs to hold back on spending.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenTechnically yes, it's an archaic imperative, but in this phrase, it functions as an indeclinable noun-like component.
Yes! 'Κάνω κράτει στο φαγητό' is a very common way to say you are watching what you eat.
It can be, as it's a direct command. Use it with friends or add 'λίγο' to soften it.
'Σταματάω' is a general 'stop'. 'Κάνω κράτει' implies a conscious effort to restrain momentum or impulse.
Yes, 'Έκανα κράτει' (I held back). Only the 'κάνω' part changes.
Yes, 'Κάνουμε κράτει' (We hold back) or 'Κάνετε κράτει' (You all hold back).
Yes, it is understood and used across the Greek-speaking world.
No, for driving use 'πατάω φρένο' (hit the brakes).
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss when discussing a budget, but it's also used with friends.
Because it's a 'fossilized' form from nautical language that preserved the ancient grammar.
Verwandte Redewendungen
βάζω φρένο
synonymTo put on the brakes
μαζεύομαι
similarTo gather oneself / to limit oneself
κάνω κράτηση
contrastTo make a reservation
κρατάω τα προσχήματα
builds onTo keep up appearances
