B1 Collocation خنثی

είμαι στα πρόθυρα

I am on the threshold

تمرین کن

معنی

Very close to a state or event.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

The 'prothyron' was a key feature in ancient homes, serving as a buffer between the public street and private life. This architectural reality shaped the Greek mind to see transitions as physical spaces. During the 2010-2018 financial crisis, 'στα πρόθυρα' became one of the most used phrases in news, reflecting a decade of living in constant uncertainty. Greeks often use high-intensity language to describe emotions. Being 'on the verge' of tears or madness is a common way to express deep sincerity or frustration. The threshold of a house is considered a sacred or dangerous place in Greek folklore, where spirits might linger. This adds a layer of 'gravity' to the idiom.

💡

The Genitive Rule

Always remember that if a noun follows, it must be in the genitive. 'Στα πρόθυρα της...' is your best friend.

⚠️

Don't be too dramatic

Using this for small things like 'I'm on the verge of finishing my sandwich' will make you sound like a drama queen/king.

معنی

Very close to a state or event.

💡

The Genitive Rule

Always remember that if a noun follows, it must be in the genitive. 'Στα πρόθυρα της...' is your best friend.

⚠️

Don't be too dramatic

Using this for small things like 'I'm on the verge of finishing my sandwich' will make you sound like a drama queen/king.

🎯

Journalistic Flair

If you are writing an essay for a B2/C1 exam, using this phrase will significantly boost your 'vocabulary range' score.

💬

Emotional Sincerity

In Greece, saying you are 'στα πρόθυρα των δακρύων' is a very common and accepted way to show you are deeply moved.

خودت رو بسنج

Fill in the correct form of the article and noun in the genitive.

Η οικονομία της χώρας είναι στα πρόθυρα ______ (κατάρρευση).

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: της κατάρρευσης

After 'στα πρόθυρα', we need the genitive case. 'Κατάρρευση' is feminine, so 'της κατάρρευσης'.

Which sentence uses the phrase correctly for a serious situation?

Choose the most natural sentence:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Είμαι στα πρόθυρα της απόγνωσης με αυτά τα νέα.

'Στα πρόθυρα' is used for serious emotional or situational states, not chores or physical locations.

Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.

Γιώργος: Πώς πάει η δουλειά; Κώστας: Πολύ άσχημα. Είμαι στα πρόθυρα ______.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: να παραιτηθώ

When using a verb after 'στα πρόθυρα', we use 'να' + subjunctive.

Match the Greek phrase with its English equivalent.

Match the following:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: all

These are all standard collocations in both languages.

Match the phrase to the correct context.

Where would you most likely see 'Στα πρόθυρα της χρεοκοπίας'?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: In a financial newspaper

This phrase is a staple of economic journalism.

🎉 امتیاز: /5

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

Formality Scale

Informal
στο τσακ at the last sec
Neutral
στα πρόθυρα on the verge
Formal
επί θύραις at the doors

بانک تمرین

5 تمرین‌ها
Fill in the correct form of the article and noun in the genitive. جای خالی B1

Η οικονομία της χώρας είναι στα πρόθυρα ______ (κατάρρευση).

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: της κατάρρευσης

After 'στα πρόθυρα', we need the genitive case. 'Κατάρρευση' is feminine, so 'της κατάρρευσης'.

Which sentence uses the phrase correctly for a serious situation? Choose B1

Choose the most natural sentence:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Είμαι στα πρόθυρα της απόγνωσης με αυτά τα νέα.

'Στα πρόθυρα' is used for serious emotional or situational states, not chores or physical locations.

Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase. dialogue_completion B1

Γιώργος: Πώς πάει η δουλειά; Κώστας: Πολύ άσχημα. Είμαι στα πρόθυρα ______.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: να παραιτηθώ

When using a verb after 'στα πρόθυρα', we use 'να' + subjunctive.

Match the Greek phrase with its English equivalent. Match A2

هر مورد سمت چپ را با جفتش در سمت راست مطابقت دهید:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: all

These are all standard collocations in both languages.

Match the phrase to the correct context. situation_matching B1

Where would you most likely see 'Στα πρόθυρα της χρεοκοπίας'?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: In a financial newspaper

This phrase is a staple of economic journalism.

🎉 امتیاز: /5

سوالات متداول

12 سوال

Yes! You can be 'στα πρόθυρα μιας επιτυχίας' (on the verge of success) or 'μιας ανακάλυψης' (a discovery).

No, it's very common for abstract concepts like 'η οικονομία' (the economy) or 'η χώρα' (the country).

'Κοντά' is simple 'near'. 'Στα πρόθυρα' implies a threshold or a major transition is about to happen.

Yes, in this idiom, the preposition 'στα' (σε + τα) is fixed.

Etymologically, yes. 'Πρόθυμος' comes from 'πρό' + 'θυμός' (soul/spirit), meaning someone whose spirit is 'forward' or ready. They share the 'πρό' prefix but different roots.

Absolutely. 'Ήμουν στα πρόθυρα' (I was on the verge) is very common.

It is neutral to formal. It's perfect for news, business, and serious personal talk.

No, that's a common mistake influenced by English. Use the genitive case instead.

'Κατάρρευσης' (collapse), 'χρεοκοπίας' (bankruptcy), and 'δακρύων' (tears) are the top three.

No, that sounds very strange. Use it for events or states, not calendar time.

Yes, 'στο τσακ' is the informal way to say something almost happened.

It's a soft 'th' like in 'thin' or 'thought', not a hard 'd' or 't'.

عبارات مرتبط

🔄

στο χείλος του

synonym

on the brink of

🔗

ένα βήμα πριν

similar

one step before

🔗

επί θύραις

specialized form

at the doors

🔗

κοντεύω να

similar

to be close to

🔗

στο τσακ

contrast

at the very last moment

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