C1 Expression خنثی

κάνω κράτει

to hold back

معنی

Restraining oneself from acting.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

The phrase is a living fossil of Greece's deep connection to the sea. Even people who have never stepped on a ship use nautical commands in their daily life. During the 2010-2018 financial crisis, this phrase became a national motto for survival. It shifted from a casual idiom to a necessary lifestyle. In Greek culture, being 'excessive' (ipervolikos) is common, but 'doing kratei' is the mark of a 'metrimenos' (measured/balanced) person. While not a religious term, the concept of 'κράτει' aligns with the Orthodox practice of fasting (nisteia), which is essentially 'doing κράτει' on certain foods.

💡

The 'Money' Rule

If you are talking about money in Greece, this is your go-to phrase. It sounds much more natural than 'δεν ξοδεύω'.

⚠️

Reservation Trap

Never say 'κάνω κράτει' at a restaurant unless you want the waiter to stop bringing food!

معنی

Restraining oneself from acting.

💡

The 'Money' Rule

If you are talking about money in Greece, this is your go-to phrase. It sounds much more natural than 'δεν ξοδεύω'.

⚠️

Reservation Trap

Never say 'κάνω κράτει' at a restaurant unless you want the waiter to stop bringing food!

🎯

C1 Nuance

Use 'κάνω λίγο κράτει' (with 'λίγο') to make your advice sound softer and less like a direct order.

خودت رو بسنج

Fill in the correct form of the verb 'κάνω' to complete the idiom.

Πέρυσι δεν προσέχαμε, αλλά φέτος πρέπει να ________ κράτει στα έξοδα.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: κάνουμε

The sentence refers to 'we' (προσέχαμε), so the first person plural 'κάνουμε' is required.

Which of the following is the correct meaning of 'κάνω κράτει'?

Τι σημαίνει 'κάνω κράτει';

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Περιορίζω τη συμπεριφορά ή τα έξοδά μου

The phrase means to limit one's behavior or expenses.

Match the response to the situation.

Situation: Your friend is about to buy a 5th pair of shoes they don't need.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Κάνε κράτει!

You are advising restraint, so 'Κάνε κράτει!' is the correct idiom.

Complete the dialogue.

Α: Θέλεις να πάμε για φαγητό απόψε; Β: Καλύτερα όχι, έχω ξοδέψει πολλά αυτή την εβδομάδα και πρέπει να ________.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: κάνω κράτει

The speaker needs to hold back on spending.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

Κράτει vs. Κράτηση

κάνω κράτει
Restraint Self-control
Money Spending less
κάνω κράτηση
Hotel Booking a room
Restaurant Booking a table

بانک تمرین

4 تمرین‌ها
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'κάνω' to complete the idiom. جای خالی B1

Πέρυσι δεν προσέχαμε, αλλά φέτος πρέπει να ________ κράτει στα έξοδα.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: κάνουμε

The sentence refers to 'we' (προσέχαμε), so the first person plural 'κάνουμε' is required.

Which of the following is the correct meaning of 'κάνω κράτει'? Choose A2

Τι σημαίνει 'κάνω κράτει';

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Περιορίζω τη συμπεριφορά ή τα έξοδά μου

The phrase means to limit one's behavior or expenses.

Match the response to the situation. situation_matching B2

Situation: Your friend is about to buy a 5th pair of shoes they don't need.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Κάνε κράτει!

You are advising restraint, so 'Κάνε κράτει!' is the correct idiom.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

Α: Θέλεις να πάμε για φαγητό απόψε; Β: Καλύτερα όχι, έχω ξοδέψει πολλά αυτή την εβδομάδα και πρέπει να ________.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: κάνω κράτει

The speaker needs to hold back on spending.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

Technically yes, it's an archaic imperative, but in this phrase, it functions as an indeclinable noun-like component.

Yes! 'Κάνω κράτει στο φαγητό' is a very common way to say you are watching what you eat.

It can be, as it's a direct command. Use it with friends or add 'λίγο' to soften it.

'Σταματάω' is a general 'stop'. 'Κάνω κράτει' implies a conscious effort to restrain momentum or impulse.

Yes, 'Έκανα κράτει' (I held back). Only the 'κάνω' part changes.

Yes, 'Κάνουμε κράτει' (We hold back) or 'Κάνετε κράτει' (You all hold back).

Yes, it is understood and used across the Greek-speaking world.

No, for driving use 'πατάω φρένο' (hit the brakes).

It's neutral. You can use it with your boss when discussing a budget, but it's also used with friends.

Because it's a 'fossilized' form from nautical language that preserved the ancient grammar.

عبارات مرتبط

🔄

βάζω φρένο

synonym

To put on the brakes

🔗

μαζεύομαι

similar

To gather oneself / to limit oneself

🔗

κάνω κράτηση

contrast

To make a reservation

🔗

κρατάω τα προσχήματα

builds on

To keep up appearances

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