Bedeutung
To have great respect or admiration for someone.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Water is often used in Greek idioms to represent something easy, clear, or vital (e.g., 'σαν το κρύο το νερό' for something beautiful/refreshing). Hospitality (Xenia) often begins with offering water. This idiom reflects the high value placed on those who provide 'sustenance' (physical or emotional). The 'name' is sacred. Drinking to a name is a secular echo of religious litanies where names of saints are invoked for protection. In a society where bureaucracy can be difficult, finding a professional who 'does their job well' is highly celebrated with this phrase.
Use it for Recommendations
This is the single most powerful way to recommend a professional in Greece. It tells the listener 'I guarantee this person is great.'
Watch the Pronouns
Make sure you use 'του' for a man, 'της' for a woman, and 'τους' for a group. Using the wrong one changes who you respect!
Bedeutung
To have great respect or admiration for someone.
Use it for Recommendations
This is the single most powerful way to recommend a professional in Greece. It tells the listener 'I guarantee this person is great.'
Watch the Pronouns
Make sure you use 'του' for a man, 'της' for a woman, and 'τους' for a group. Using the wrong one changes who you respect!
The Power of Water
Remember that water in Greece is a symbol of honesty. Saying this implies the person is 'clear' (καθαρός) and honest.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Ο γιατρός με βοήθησε πολύ. Πίνω ______ στο ______ του.
The standard form is 'πίνω νερό στο όνομα [κάποιου]'.
Which sentence correctly uses the extra accent (tonos)?
Choose the grammatically correct sentence:
When a proparoxytone word (accent on the 3rd syllable from the end) is followed by a possessive pronoun, it receives a second accent on the last syllable.
Match the situation to the correct use of the idiom.
Match: 1. You trust your lawyer. 2. You are warning someone they will be grateful. 3. You are talking about a group of people you respect.
The verb and pronoun must match the subject and the object of respect.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate form.
Α: Πώς σου φάνηκε ο νέος συνεργάτης; Β: Είναι εξαιρετικός! Πλέον ______ ______ στο όνομά του.
The present tense is used to express a current state of high regard.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenΟ γιατρός με βοήθησε πολύ. Πίνω ______ στο ______ του.
The standard form is 'πίνω νερό στο όνομα [κάποιου]'.
Choose the grammatically correct sentence:
When a proparoxytone word (accent on the 3rd syllable from the end) is followed by a possessive pronoun, it receives a second accent on the last syllable.
Match: 1. You trust your lawyer. 2. You are warning someone they will be grateful. 3. You are talking about a group of people you respect.
The verb and pronoun must match the subject and the object of respect.
Α: Πώς σου φάνηκε ο νέος συνεργάτης; Β: Είναι εξαιρετικός! Πλέον ______ ______ στο όνομά του.
The present tense is used to express a current state of high regard.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, if they have significantly impacted your life (e.g., a writer or a scientist), but it's more common for personal or professional acquaintances.
It is 'στο όνομά' (with two accents) because of the possessive pronoun 'του/της' that follows.
Not at all. It is a living idiom used by all ages, though it carries a certain emotional weight.
No, that would be a literal toast. The idiom specifically uses 'water'.
Yes, it's a very respectful way to speak about a partner or mentor.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but you might say 'δεν θέλω ούτε το όνομά του να ακούσω' (I don't even want to hear his name).
Occasionally, yes. 'Πίνω νερό στο όνομα αυτής της μάρκας' (I swear by this brand), but it's 90% used for people.
Water represents the most basic, pure, and essential need. It implies the person is as necessary and good as water.
Yes, it is widely understood and used across the Greek-speaking world.
Yes: 'Έπινα νερό στο όνομά του' (I used to respect him deeply), often implying that something changed.
Verwandte Redewendungen
βάζω το χέρι μου στη φωτιά
similarTo guarantee someone's honesty/reliability.
του βγάζω το καπέλο
similarI take my hat off to him (I respect him).
τον έχω εικόνισμα
synonymI treat him like a holy icon.
χρωστάω χάρη
builds onI owe a favor.
