Significado
A cause for an action.
Contexto cultural
Greeks often use an 'αφορμή' to make social calls feel more natural and less like an obligation. It's part of the 'filoxenia' (hospitality) culture to have a 'reason' to bring people together. In Greek news, you will constantly hear 'Με αφορμή...' to introduce a topic. It's the standard way to link a current event to a larger discussion. In smaller Greek communities, 'δίνω αφορμή' is a serious concern. People act carefully to avoid giving the 'village' a reason to talk about them. Many Greek songs use 'αφορμή' to describe a breakup or a new love. It's a romanticized way of saying 'this was the spark.'
The 'Why Now' Rule
Use 'αφορμή' to answer the question 'Why are you doing this *right now*?' rather than 'Why are you doing this *at all*?'
Avoid 'Αιτία' for Socializing
If you say 'Έχω μια αιτία να σε δω,' it sounds like you have a serious problem or a medical reason. Stick to 'αφορμή' for friends!
Significado
A cause for an action.
The 'Why Now' Rule
Use 'αφορμή' to answer the question 'Why are you doing this *right now*?' rather than 'Why are you doing this *at all*?'
Avoid 'Αιτία' for Socializing
If you say 'Έχω μια αιτία να σε δω,' it sounds like you have a serious problem or a medical reason. Stick to 'αφορμή' for friends!
The Polite Excuse
Greeks love using 'αφορμή' to make a call feel less random. It shows you've been paying attention to the other person's life.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct form of the phrase.
Ήθελα να σε δω και τα γενέθλιά σου ήταν η καλύτερη ________.
Birthdays are situational triggers (occasions), so 'αφορμή' is the best fit.
Which sentence is more natural for a social visit?
A) Ήρθα γιατί έχω μια αιτία. B) Ήρθα γιατί βρήκα μια αφορμή.
'Βρήκα μια αφορμή' sounds like a friendly, situational reason for visiting.
Complete the dialogue.
Πέτρος: Γιατί μου έστειλες αυτό το άρθρο; Μαρία: ________ το άρθρο, ήθελα να σε ρωτήσω πώς είσαι.
'Με αφορμή' means 'on the occasion of' or 'using this as a starting point.'
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You don't want people to gossip about you.
This is the standard expression for avoiding gossip.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Αφορμή vs. Αιτία
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosΉθελα να σε δω και τα γενέθλιά σου ήταν η καλύτερη ________.
Birthdays are situational triggers (occasions), so 'αφορμή' is the best fit.
A) Ήρθα γιατί έχω μια αιτία. B) Ήρθα γιατί βρήκα μια αφορμή.
'Βρήκα μια αφορμή' sounds like a friendly, situational reason for visiting.
Πέτρος: Γιατί μου έστειλες αυτό το άρθρο; Μαρία: ________ το άρθρο, ήθελα να σε ρωτήσω πώς είσαι.
'Με αφορμή' means 'on the occasion of' or 'using this as a starting point.'
Situation: You don't want people to gossip about you.
This is the standard expression for avoiding gossip.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasNo, it's neutral. It can be positive (a reason for a party) or negative (an excuse for a fight).
Yes! 'Με αφορμή την επικοινωνία μας...' is a very professional way to start an email.
The plural is 'αφορμές'. For example: 'Βρήκε πολλές αφορμές για να φύγει.'
Both are correct. 'Έχω μια αφορμή' is more specific, while 'Έχω αφορμή' is more idiomatic.
Use the phrase 'Με αφορμή' followed by a noun in the accusative case.
Close, but 'δικαιολογία' is the direct word for 'excuse.' 'Αφορμή' is more like 'occasion' or 'trigger.'
Usually, we use the indefinite 'μια' or no article. 'Την αφορμή' is rare unless referring to a specific, previously mentioned reason.
It means to behave in a way that gives others a reason to talk about you or criticize you.
It's neutral. It works in both a coffee shop and a boardroom.
Only if the weather is an 'occasion.' For example: 'The snow was an αφορμή for us to stay in and drink hot chocolate.'
'Έναυσμα' is more formal and means 'spark' or 'incentive.' 'Αφορμή' is more common in daily speech.
It's a standard 'f' sound as in 'fish.'
Frases relacionadas
δίνω αφορμή
similarTo give cause/reason (usually for gossip).
βρίσκω αφορμή
similarTo find an excuse.
με αφορμή
specialized formOn the occasion of...
δράττομαι της αφορμής
specialized formI seize the opportunity.
χωρίς αφορμή
contrastWithout reason/provocation.
