Significado
To suddenly feel overwhelmed by anxiety or fear
Contexto cultural
Greeks often use 'με πιάνει πανικός' hyperbolically. It doesn't always mean a medical panic attack; it's a common way to express being 'stressed out' or 'flustered.' In Cypriot Greek, you might hear 'πιάνει με πανικός' (the pronoun comes after the verb), which is a characteristic of the local dialect's syntax. There is a cultural acceptance of high-arousal emotions. Expressing panic is not necessarily seen as a sign of weakness but as a natural human reaction to chaos. The concept of 'Pan-ic' was so real that ancient armies would sometimes flee the battlefield because of a 'panic' they believed was sent by the god Pan.
The 'Catch' Rule
Remember that in Greek, many sudden emotions 'catch' you. If you learn 'με πιάνει πανικός,' you can easily learn 'με πιάνει γέλιο' (I start laughing) or 'με πιάνει ύπνος' (I fall asleep).
Pronoun Case
Always use the accusative (με, σε, τον, την...). Using the nominative (εγώ, εσύ...) is a very common beginner mistake.
Significado
To suddenly feel overwhelmed by anxiety or fear
The 'Catch' Rule
Remember that in Greek, many sudden emotions 'catch' you. If you learn 'με πιάνει πανικός,' you can easily learn 'με πιάνει γέλιο' (I start laughing) or 'με πιάνει ύπνος' (I fall asleep).
Pronoun Case
Always use the accusative (με, σε, τον, την...). Using the nominative (εγώ, εσύ...) is a very common beginner mistake.
Plural for Emphasis
If you want to sound very native when describing a huge panic, use the plural: 'Με έπιασαν πανικοί!' It sounds more dramatic and expressive.
Don't be too literal
If someone says 'με έπιασε πανικός' because they forgot to buy milk, they aren't having a medical emergency. They are just being expressive!
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct pronoun and verb form for the past tense (Aorist).
Χθες στο αεροδρόμιο, ______ (me) ______ (caught) πανικός γιατί δεν έβρισκα το εισιτήριο.
We need the 1st person singular accusative pronoun 'με' and the 3rd person singular aorist of 'πιάνω', which is 'έπιασε'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'He gets panicked easily'?
Πώς λέμε 'He gets panicked easily' στα ελληνικά;
The correct structure is [Accusative Pronoun] + [Verb] + [Noun]. 'Τον' is the pronoun for 'him'.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate phrase.
Α: Γιατί τρέμεις; Β: ________________ μόλις είδα το σκυλί!
The speaker is explaining why they are currently trembling based on a just-occurred event, so the past tense (Aorist) is most appropriate.
Match the situation to the correct variation of the phrase.
Match: 1. General habit, 2. Past event, 3. Warning to someone else.
Present tense for habits, Aorist for past events, and Imperative for warnings/advice.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Panic vs. Stress in Greek
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosΧθες στο αεροδρόμιο, ______ (me) ______ (caught) πανικός γιατί δεν έβρισκα το εισιτήριο.
We need the 1st person singular accusative pronoun 'με' and the 3rd person singular aorist of 'πιάνω', which is 'έπιασε'.
Πώς λέμε 'He gets panicked easily' στα ελληνικά;
The correct structure is [Accusative Pronoun] + [Verb] + [Noun]. 'Τον' is the pronoun for 'him'.
Α: Γιατί τρέμεις; Β: ________________ μόλις είδα το σκυλί!
The speaker is explaining why they are currently trembling based on a just-occurred event, so the past tense (Aorist) is most appropriate.
Match: 1. General habit, 2. Past event, 3. Warning to someone else.
Present tense for habits, Aorist for past events, and Imperative for warnings/advice.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasIt can be used to describe one, but it's often used more loosely for any sudden, strong anxiety.
Yes, but it sounds more poetic or emphatic. The standard order is 'Με έπιασε πανικός'.
'Φοβάμαι' is 'I am afraid' (a state), while 'με πιάνει πανικός' is a sudden event or reaction.
A doctor would understand it, but they would likely write 'κρίση πανικού' in your file.
Use the present tense: 'Με πιάνει πανικός!' or 'Πανικοβάλλομαι!'.
No, 'πανικός' is always negative or stressful. For positive surprises, use 'έπαθα πλάκα' or 'έμεινα άφωνος'.
The verb 'πιάνω' takes a direct object in the accusative. You catch 'someone' (accusative).
Yes, 'φρικάρω' is a very common slang alternative among young people.
It's better to say 'ανησύχησα πολύ για σένα' (I worried a lot for you). 'Πανικός' is usually about your own state.
The word 'πανικός' is the subject. You don't need 'εγώ' or any other subject.
It might sound a bit too emotional. 'Αγχώνομαι' or 'Πιέζομαι' (I feel pressured) are more professional.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but 'ηρεμώ' (I calm down) or 'διατηρώ την ψυχραιμία μου' (I keep my cool) are used.
Frases relacionadas
με πιάνει γέλιο
similarTo start laughing uncontrollably
με πιάνει το παράπονο
similarTo suddenly feel slighted or sad
πανικοβάλλομαι
synonymTo panic
τρομοκρατούμαι
specialized formTo be terrified
αγχώνομαι
similarTo get stressed
