Significado
Being extremely surprised or shocked by something.
Contexto cultural
The 'Laiki Agora' (street market) is a central part of Greek life. Many idioms, like this one, come from the sights and sounds of these markets. Younger Greeks often use 'extreme' metaphors to describe emotions. If something is just 'good,' it's not enough; it has to 'blow their mind' or 'break their crate.' Greeks use their whole bodies and vivid imagery to communicate. This phrase is usually accompanied by wide eyes and a hand gesture toward the head. The use of 'kafasi' (crate) shows the influence of the working class on modern Greek slang, where everyday tools become symbols for the mind.
Use it for emphasis
Add 'τελείως' (completely) at the end to sound even more like a native: 'Μου έφυγε το καφάσι τελείως!'
Watch the register
Never use this with people you address as 'εσείς' (formal you) unless you have a very close relationship.
Significado
Being extremely surprised or shocked by something.
Use it for emphasis
Add 'τελείως' (completely) at the end to sound even more like a native: 'Μου έφυγε το καφάσι τελείως!'
Watch the register
Never use this with people you address as 'εσείς' (formal you) unless you have a very close relationship.
Body Language
Greeks often tilt their head or raise their eyebrows when saying this to emphasize the shock.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct pronoun for: 'I was shocked when I saw the bill.'
Όταν είδα το λογαριασμό, ___ έφυγε το καφάσι.
Since the sentence says 'I was shocked', you must use the 1st person singular clitic 'μου'.
Which of the following is the most appropriate situation to use 'μου έφυγε το καφάσι'?
Πότε μπορείς να πεις 'μου έφυγε το καφάσι';
This is an informal slang phrase used for surprises among friends.
Match the Greek phrase with its English equivalent.
Αντιστοιχίστε τις φράσεις:
All these phrases are synonyms for shock in Greek.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
Α: Είδες το νέο βίντεο του YouTuber; Β: Ναι! ___________ με τα εφέ που χρησιμοποίησε!
The standard form is 'Μου έφυγε το καφάσι'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosΌταν είδα το λογαριασμό, ___ έφυγε το καφάσι.
Since the sentence says 'I was shocked', you must use the 1st person singular clitic 'μου'.
Πότε μπορείς να πεις 'μου έφυγε το καφάσι';
This is an informal slang phrase used for surprises among friends.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
All these phrases are synonyms for shock in Greek.
Α: Είδες το νέο βίντεο του YouTuber; Β: Ναι! ___________ με τα εφέ που χρησιμοποίησε!
The standard form is 'Μου έφυγε το καφάσι'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt's not rude or offensive, but it is very casual. It's like saying 'I'm tripping out' or 'My mind is blown.'
Yes! It works for both incredibly good news and incredibly bad/shocking news.
It's a plastic or wooden crate, usually used for fruits and vegetables in markets.
No, that's not a standard idiom. Stick to 'καφάσι' or 'μυαλό' (mind).
Yes, it is a universal Greek slang phrase understood everywhere from Athens to the islands.
Use the future tense: 'Θα σου φύγει το καφάσι!'
Yes, use 'Έμεινα έκπληκτος' or 'Εξεπλάγην'.
Absolutely! It's very common in SMS and social media comments.
The verb stays singular (έφυγε) but the pronoun changes: 'Μας έφυγε το καφάσι' (We were shocked).
Not really. For fear, use 'μου κόπηκαν τα γόνατα' (my knees cut/gave out) or 'μου έφυγε η ψυχή'.
Frases relacionadas
έπαθα πλάκα
synonymI was floored/shocked
έμεινα κάγκελο
similarI was frozen in shock
μου έπεσε το σαγόνι
similarMy jaw dropped
κουφάθηκα
specialized formI went deaf (from shock)
μου έφυγε η μαγκιά
builds onI lost my toughness
