Significado
To experience many difficulties.
Contexto cultural
The sea is central to Greek life. This idiom reflects the historical reality of sailors facing unpredictable storms in the Aegean. Greeks often use this phrase to bond over their shared frustration with 'γραφειοκρατία' (bureaucracy). The variation 'σαράντα κύματα' (40 waves) links to the biblical significance of the number 40 in Orthodox Christianity. Surviving '1000 waves' is seen as a mark of character and strength in Greek society.
Use the Past Tense
Most Greeks use this in the past tense ('πέρασα') to complain about something that is finally over.
Don't over-exaggerate
If you use it for something very small, people will think you are being very sarcastic or that you don't understand the idiom.
Significado
To experience many difficulties.
Use the Past Tense
Most Greeks use this in the past tense ('πέρασα') to complain about something that is finally over.
Don't over-exaggerate
If you use it for something very small, people will think you are being very sarcastic or that you don't understand the idiom.
The '40' Variant
If you want to sound more like a local villager or an older person, use 'σαράντα κύματα' instead of 'χίλια'.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Η διαδικασία για την έκδοση του διαβατηρίου πέρασε ____ χίλια ____.
The idiom is 'περνάω από χίλια κύματα'.
Which situation best fits the idiom?
Πότε θα έλεγες 'Πέρασα από χίλια κύματα';
The idiom is for long-term, significant struggles.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the verb.
Α: Πώς πήγε η μετακόμιση; Β: Άσε, ____ (περνάω - αόριστος) από χίλια κύματα!
The speaker is talking about a completed past event (the move).
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
3 ejerciciosΗ διαδικασία για την έκδοση του διαβατηρίου πέρασε ____ χίλια ____.
The idiom is 'περνάω από χίλια κύματα'.
Πότε θα έλεγες 'Πέρασα από χίλια κύματα';
The idiom is for long-term, significant struggles.
Α: Πώς πήγε η μετακόμιση; Β: Άσε, ____ (περνάω - αόριστος) από χίλια κύματα!
The speaker is talking about a completed past event (the move).
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Preguntas frecuentes
3 preguntasNo, the idiom is fixed with 'χίλια' (1000) or 'σαράντα' (40). Changing the number makes it sound like a literal count, not an idiom.
Yes, if you are describing a difficult project you successfully completed. it shows resilience. Just keep your tone professional.
Usually, yes. It implies you 'passed through' them and reached the other side, though you can use it for an ongoing struggle too.
Frases relacionadas
βγάζω το φίδι από την τρύπα
similarTo do a very difficult or dangerous task that no one else wants to do.
κάνω το σκατό μου παξιμάδι
specialized formTo live through extreme poverty or hardship to save money.
είμαι σε φουρτούνα
similarTo be in the middle of a 'storm' or trouble.
