Significado
To halt a process or an action.
Contexto cultural
In Greek news, 'φρένο' is almost always used when discussing the 'Troika' or EU measures during the financial crisis. It carries a heavy connotation of external pressure. Similar usage to Greece, but often used in the context of the construction boom and environmental protection on the island. Second-generation Greeks in the US or Australia often use the literal English 'put the brakes' but translate it into Greek, keeping the idiom alive even in mixed-language households. Greek tech influencers use 'βάζω φρένο' when talking about AI development or social media addiction, showing the phrase's adaptability to 21st-century problems.
Use it for habits
It's the most natural way to talk about cutting back on sugar, social media, or spending.
Don't forget the article
Saying 'βάζω φρένο σπατάλη' is wrong. It must be 'στην σπατάλη'.
Significado
To halt a process or an action.
Use it for habits
It's the most natural way to talk about cutting back on sugar, social media, or spending.
Don't forget the article
Saying 'βάζω φρένο σπατάλη' is wrong. It must be 'στην σπατάλη'.
The 'Mpei' variation
Use 'Πρέπει να μπει ένα φρένο' (A brake must be put) to sound more authoritative and objective.
Polite Interruption
If someone is talking over you, 'Μπορείς να βάλεις λίγο φρένο;' is a firm but socially acceptable way to ask for space.
Ponte a prueba
Συμπλήρωσε το κενό με τη σωστή μορφή του ρήματος 'βάζω'.
Χθες, ο διευθυντής _______ φρένο στα σχέδιά μας.
We need the past tense (Aorist) because of the word 'Χθες' (Yesterday).
Ποια πρόταση είναι σωστή;
Πρέπει να σταματήσεις να ξοδεύεις τόσα χρήματα.
The correct collocation is 'βάζω φρένο' + 'σε' + article.
Ταίριαξε τη φράση με την κατάσταση.
Κάποιος μιλάει πολύ γρήγορα και λέει μυστικά.
'Braking the tongue' means stopping oneself from speaking too much or inappropriately.
Συμπλήρωσε τον διάλογο.
Α: Θέλεις κι άλλο γλυκό; Β: Όχι, ευχαριστώ. Πρέπει να ________________.
After 'πρέπει να', we use the dependent (subjunctive) form 'βάλω'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Braking vs. Stopping
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosΧθες, ο διευθυντής _______ φρένο στα σχέδιά μας.
We need the past tense (Aorist) because of the word 'Χθες' (Yesterday).
Πρέπει να σταματήσεις να ξοδεύεις τόσα χρήματα.
The correct collocation is 'βάζω φρένο' + 'σε' + article.
Κάποιος μιλάει πολύ γρήγορα και λέει μυστικά.
'Braking the tongue' means stopping oneself from speaking too much or inappropriately.
Α: Θέλεις κι άλλο γλυκό; Β: Όχι, ευχαριστώ. Πρέπει να ________________.
After 'πρέπει να', we use the dependent (subjunctive) form 'βάλω'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasYes, but it implies stopping their *behavior* or *actions*, not the person themselves. 'Έβαλα φρένο στον Γιώργο' means you stopped George from doing something excessive.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
'Σταματάω' is a general verb for 'to stop.' 'Βάζω φρένο' is an idiom that specifically implies controlling something that was moving too fast or getting out of hand.
Rarely. 'Βάζω φρένα' sounds like you are literally installing brake pads on a car.
Βάζω φρένο στην οικονομία.
Almost, but 'πατάω' is more literal (driving) or more sudden. 'Βάζω' is more about a conscious decision to limit something.
Always 'σε' (which becomes στο, στην, στα, κλπ).
Yes, if the relationship is moving too fast and you want to slow it down.
No, it is a very natural and common Greek idiom.
'Πατάω γκάζι' (step on the gas).
Yes, literally 'putting the brake' on a machine to stop it.
Yes, 'Η άμυνα έβαλε φρένο στην επίθεση' (The defense put a brake on the attack).
Frases relacionadas
τραβάω χειρόφρενο
similarTo stop everything suddenly.
θέτω όρια
similarTo set boundaries.
βάζω τέλος
contrastTo end something permanently.
πατάω γκάζι
contrastTo speed up / accelerate.
κόβω ταχύτητα
similarTo slow down.
