καθαρίζω در ۳۰ ثانیه
- Primary Greek verb meaning 'to clean' anything from a room to a car.
- Essential for cooking: used for peeling vegetables and gutting fish.
- Metaphorically used to mean 'clearing up' situations or settling debts.
- A regular -ίζω verb that changes to -ισ- in the future and past tenses.
The Greek verb καθαρίζω (katharízo) is a foundational pillar of the Greek language, primarily corresponding to the English verb 'to clean.' However, its semantic range extends significantly beyond just wiping away dust or scrubbing a floor. At its core, the word is derived from the adjective καθαρός (katharós), meaning 'clean' or 'pure.' This etymological root informs every usage of the word, from the literal physical act of sanitation to the metaphorical cleansing of one's soul or reputation. In daily life, you will encounter this word from the moment you wake up until you go to bed, as it covers everything from personal hygiene to household chores and food preparation.
- Domestic Utility
- In a household context, καθαρίζω refers to the general act of making a space tidy and hygienic. Unlike specific verbs like 'σφουγγαρίζω' (to mop) or 'ξεσκονίζω' (to dust), καθαρίζω is the umbrella term for the entire process of cleaning a room or an object.
Πρέπει να καθαρίζω την κουζίνα κάθε βράδυ μετά το φαγητό.
- Culinary Preparation
- Crucially for learners, this verb is used when preparing food. It doesn't just mean 'washing' vegetables; it means 'cleaning' them in the sense of peeling onions, gutting fish, or removing the shells from nuts. If you are in a Greek kitchen, you will constantly hear 'καθάρισε τις πατάτες' (peel/clean the potatoes).
Ο σεφ καθαρίζει τα ψάρια με μεγάλη προσοχή.
- Metaphorical Purity
- Beyond the physical, καθαρίζω is used to describe the clearing of one's name or the resolution of a complicated situation. It implies a return to a state of order or 'purity' after a period of messiness or confusion.
Μετά τη συνάντηση, καθάρισε το τοπίο και καταλάβαμε τι έπρεπε να κάνουμε.
Η μητέρα μου καθαρίζει τα τζάμια για να βλέπουμε τον ήλιο.
Whether you are discussing the weather (the sky 'clearing up'), dealing with debt (settling accounts), or simply doing the dishes, this verb is your primary tool for expressing the transition from chaos to clarity.
Using καθαρίζω correctly requires an understanding of its transitivity and its aspect. In Greek, verbs often change form slightly to indicate whether an action is ongoing or a one-time event. For καθαρίζω, the stem changes from καθαριζ- to καθαρισ- in the dependent and future forms. This distinction is vital for sounding natural to native speakers.
- The Present Tense (Continuous/Habitual)
- Use the present tense when you are in the middle of cleaning or when you clean regularly as a habit.
Κάθε Σάββατο καθαρίζω ολόκληρο το σπίτι από πάνω μέχρι κάτω.
- The Future Tense (Specific Event)
- When planning to clean a specific item at a specific time, use 'θα καθαρίσω'. Note the 'σ' instead of 'ζ'.
Αύριο θα καθαρίσω το αυτοκίνητό μου γιατί είναι πολύ βρώμικο.
- Using Objects
- The verb usually takes a direct object in the accusative case. For example, 'καθαρίζω το δωμάτιο' (I clean the room). However, it can also be used intransitively in certain idiomatic expressions like 'ο καιρός καθαρίζει' (the weather is clearing up).
Μπορείς να καθαρίσεις το τραπέζι, παρακαλώ;
Pay attention to the context of 'cleaning' food. In English, we 'peel' an apple, but in Greek, we often 'clean' (καθαρίζω) an apple. This reflects a holistic view of preparation where the removal of the inedible skin is part of the 'cleansing' process for consumption.
You will hear καθαρίζω in a vast array of social and professional settings in Greece. It is not limited to the domestic sphere; its presence in the workplace, the kitchen, and even in slang makes it a high-frequency word essential for any learner.
- In the Greek Home
- Greek culture places a high value on cleanliness and hospitality. You will hear mothers telling children 'καθάρισε το δωμάτιό σου' (clean your room) or hosts apologizing for a mess by saying 'δεν πρόλαβα να καθαρίσω' (I didn't have time to clean).
Η γιαγιά μου καθαρίζει τα χόρτα για το μεσημεριανό.
- At the Restaurant or Market
- In the culinary world, καθαρίζω is a technical term. Waiters might say 'να σας καθαρίσω το τραπέζι;' (shall I clear/clean the table for you?). At a fish market (ψαραγορά), the most common question is 'είναι καθαρισμένα;' (are they cleaned/gutted?).
- In Professional and Financial Contexts
- In business, καθαρίζω can mean settling a debt or clearing up a misunderstanding. It implies the removal of obstacles or 'dirt' that prevents smooth operation.
Πρέπει να καθαρίσουμε τους λογαριασμούς μας πριν το τέλος του μήνα.
Finally, in more informal or even underworld slang, 'καθαρίζω κάποιον' can darkly mean 'to take someone out' or 'to finish someone off,' though this is rare in everyday polite conversation. Most commonly, you'll hear it in the context of 'cleaning up' a mess, whether literal or figurative.
Even though καθαρίζω seems straightforward, English speakers often fall into traps by over-applying it or failing to distinguish it from related verbs. Cleanliness in Greek is categorized by the method and the object being cleaned.
- Mistake 1: Confusing 'Καθαρίζω' with 'Πλένω'
- 'Πλένω' (pléno) means 'to wash' specifically with water and soap. While cleaning often involves washing, they are not always interchangeable. You 'καθαρίζεις' a room (general cleaning), but you 'πλένεις' your hands or the dishes.
Λάθος: Καθαρίζω τα πιάτα. (Incorrect context for general cleaning of dishes).
Σωστό: Πλένω τα πιάτα. (Correct: I wash the dishes).
- Mistake 2: The 'Peeling' Confusion
- Many learners search for a Greek word for 'peel' (like 'ξεφλουδίζω'). While that word exists, Greeks almost exclusively use καθαρίζω for fruit and vegetables. Saying 'θέλω να ξεφλουδίσω ένα μήλο' sounds overly technical; 'θέλω να καθαρίσω ένα μήλο' is the natural way.
- Mistake 3: Aspect Errors (ζ vs σ)
- Using 'θα καθαρίζω' (I will be cleaning habitually) when you mean 'θα καθαρίσω' (I will clean this specific thing once). This makes you sound like you're promising a lifetime of cleaning rather than just a quick chore.
Θα καθαρίσω το γραφείο μου σε πέντε λεπτά. (I will clean it once, soon).
Finally, remember that καθαρίζω is an active verb. If you want to say 'I am getting cleaned' or 'I am cleaning myself,' you would use the passive form 'καθαρίζομαι,' though this is much less common than the active form.
To truly master Greek, you need to know when to use καθαρίζω and when to opt for a more specific synonym. The Greek language has a rich vocabulary for housework and maintenance.
- Καθαρίζω vs. Τακτοποιώ (Tidying)
- While καθαρίζω means removing dirt, τακτοποιώ (taktopoió) means putting things in their proper place (tidying/arranging). You can 'τακτοποιείς' a room that is already 'καθαρό' but messy.
Πρώτα θα τακτοποιήσω τα βιβλία και μετά θα καθαρίσω το πάτωμα.
- Specific Cleaning Verbs
-
- Σφουγγαρίζω (sfoungarízo): To mop the floor.
- Σκουπίζω (skoupízo): To sweep or to vacuum (or to wipe).
- Ξεσκονίζω (xeskounízo): To dust.
- Απολυμαίνω (apolyméno): To disinfect/sanitize.
- Formal Alternatives
- In formal or religious contexts, you might see καθαίρω (kathéro). This is the ancient root and is used for 'purging' or 'purifying' in a grander, often spiritual sense.
Η τελετή σκοπό έχει να καθάρει την ψυχή. (The ceremony aims to cleanse the soul).
Understanding these distinctions helps you move from basic A1 Greek to a more nuanced, B1+ level of expression, allowing you to describe your actions with precision.
راهنمای تلفظ
- Pronouncing 'th' as 't' (kat-arizo).
- Stressing the wrong syllable (ka-tha-ri-zo).
- Mispronouncing the 'z' as an 's' in the present tense.
مثالها بر اساس سطح
Καθαρίζω το δωμάτιό μου.
I clean my room.
Present tense, 1st person singular.
Η Μαρία καθαρίζει την κουζίνα.
Maria cleans the kitchen.
3rd person singular.
Καθαρίζεις το τραπέζι;
Are you cleaning the table?
Question form.
Καθαρίζουμε το σπίτι κάθε Σάββατο.
We clean the house every Saturday.
1st person plural.
Θέλω να καθαρίσω το μήλο.
I want to clean (peel) the apple.
Infinitive-like dependent form after 'θέλω'.
Καθαρίζετε το γραφείο σας;
Are you (plural/formal) cleaning your office?
2nd person plural.
Το παιδί καθαρίζει τα παπούτσια του.
The child cleans his shoes.
Subject-Verb-Object.
Δεν καθαρίζω σήμερα.
I am not cleaning today.
Negative form with 'δεν'.
Χθες καθάρισα όλο το σπίτι.
Yesterday I cleaned the whole house.
Simple Past (Aorist).
Θα καθαρίσεις το αυτοκίνητο αύριο;
Will you clean the car tomorrow?
Future tense (momentary).
Πρέπει να καθαρίσουμε τα παράθυρα.
We must clean the windows.
Modal verb 'πρέπει' + dependent form.
Καθάρισε το δωμάτιό σου τώρα!
Clean your room now!
Imperative (command).
Η μητέρα καθάρισε τα ψάρια για το δείπνο.
The mother cleaned the fish for dinner.
Past tense, referring to preparation.
Ποιος καθάρισε το μπάνιο;
Who cleaned the bathroom?
Interrogative pronoun 'Ποιος'.
Δεν θα καθαρίσω την αυλή σήμερα.
I will not clean the yard today.
Negative future.
Μπορείς να καθαρίσεις τις πατάτες;
Can you clean (peel) the potatoes?
Request with 'μπορείς'.
Καθάριζα το σπίτι όταν τηλεφώνησες.
I was cleaning the house when you called.
Imperfect tense (continuous past).
Αν καθαρίσεις το δωμάτιο, θα βγούμε έξω.
If you clean the room, we will go out.
Conditional sentence Type 1.
Το σπίτι καθαρίζεται από μια επαγγελματία.
The house is being cleaned by a professional.
Passive voice, present tense.
Αφού καθάρισε την κουζίνα, άρχισε να μαγειρεύει.
After he cleaned the kitchen, he started cooking.
Temporal clause with 'αφού'.
Μην καθαρίζεις ακόμα, δεν τελειώσαμε.
Don't clean yet, we haven't finished.
Prohibitive imperative (continuous).
Έχει καθαρίσει ποτέ αυτό το χαλί;
Has this carpet ever been cleaned?
Present Perfect.
Προτιμώ να καθαρίζω μόνος μου.
I prefer to clean by myself.
Verb of preference + dependent.
Καθαρίζοντας το γκαράζ, βρήκαμε παλιά παιχνίδια.
While cleaning the garage, we found old toys.
Gerund (participle).
Ο καιρός άρχισε να καθαρίζει μετά την καταιγίδα.
The weather started to clear up after the storm.
Metaphorical use for weather.
Πρέπει να καθαρίσουμε αυτή την παρεξήγηση.
We must clear up this misunderstanding.
Abstract usage.
Καθάρισε το όνομά του μετά τη δίκη.
He cleared his name after the trial.
Idiomatic: clearing a reputation.
Η εταιρεία καθαρίζει τα κέρδη της από τους φόρους.
The company clears its profits from taxes.
Financial context.
Καθαρίσαμε όλες τις εκκρεμότητες.
We cleared/settled all outstanding matters.
Business context.
Το τοπίο καθάρισε και είδαμε το βουνό.
The landscape cleared and we saw the mountain.
Intransitive use.
Είναι σημαντικό να καθαρίζουμε τις σκέψεις μας.
It is important to clear our thoughts.
Mental/Psychological use.
Αυτή η μηχανή καθαρίζει τον αέρα.
This machine cleans (purifies) the air.
Technical/Environmental use.
Ο υπουργός υποσχέθηκε να καθαρίσει τη διαφθορά.
The minister promised to clean up (purge) corruption.
Political rhetoric.
Η κάθαρση της ψυχής επιτυγχάνεται μέσω της τέχνης.
The cleansing of the soul is achieved through art.
Noun derivative 'κάθαρση'.
Καθάρισε τη θέση του απέναντι στο κόμμα.
He clarified/cleared his position towards the party.
Nuanced political usage.
Το δικαστήριο τον καθάρισε από κάθε κατηγορία.
The court cleared him of every charge.
Legal terminology.
Η νέα στρατηγική θα καθαρίσει την αγορά από αδύναμες εταιρείες.
The new strategy will clear the market of weak companies.
Economic metaphor.
Πρέπει να καθαρίσεις το μυαλό σου από προκαταλήψεις.
You must clear your mind of prejudices.
Philosophical imperative.
Η φωτιά καθάρισε τη βλάστηση για να αναγεννηθεί το δάσος.
The fire cleared the vegetation so the forest could be reborn.
Ecological cycle.
Καθάρισε τους λογαριασμούς του με το παρελθόν.
He settled his accounts with the past.
Literary/Metaphorical.
Η επιχείρηση 'καθαρά χέρια' στόχευε στην κάθαρση του κράτους.
Operation 'Clean Hands' aimed at the purging of the state.
Historical/Political reference.
Είναι μια διαδικασία που καθαρίζει τα ιζήματα από το διάλυμα.
It is a process that clears the sediments from the solution.
Highly technical/Scientific.
Ο συγγραφέας καθαρίζει το ύφος του από περιττά επίθετα.
The writer cleans (strips) his style of unnecessary adjectives.
Literary criticism.
Καθάρισε τη συνείδησή του με μια ειλικρινή εξομολόγηση.
He cleared his conscience with a sincere confession.
Moral/Religious nuance.
Η αστυνομία καθάρισε την περιοχή από τις συμμορίες.
The police cleared the area of gangs.
Law enforcement context.
Το φάρμακο καθαρίζει τις αρτηρίες από τη χοληστερίνη.
The medicine cleans the arteries of cholesterol.
Medical context.
Καθάρισε με συνοπτικές διαδικασίες τους αντιπάλους του.
He dealt with/eliminated his opponents summarily.
Slang/Metaphorical for efficiency/ruthlessness.
Η θάλασσα καθαρίζει τις ακτές από τα απορρίμματα.
The sea clears the shores of debris.
Personification of nature.
ترکیبهای رایج
عبارات رایج
Καθάρισες;
Καθάρισε ο καιρός
Να σου καθαρίσω;
Καθάρισε τη θέση του
Το καθάρισα όλο
Καθαρίζω την μπουκιά μου
Καθαρίζω το δρόμο
Καθαρίζω από φόρους
Καθάρισε το μάτι μου
Καθαρίζω τη συνείδησή μου
اصطلاحات و عبارات
"Καθαρίζω κάποιον"
To kill or eliminate someone (slang/underworld).
Στην ταινία, ο δολοφόνος καθάρισε τον μάρτυρα.
slang"Καθαρίζω τη μπουγάδα"
To finish a difficult task or 'clean up' a mess someone else made.
Πάλι εγώ έπρεπε να καθαρίσω τη μπουγάδα στο γραφείο.
informal"Καθαρίζω με συνοπτικές διαδικασίες"
To deal with something very quickly and decisively.
Τον καθάρισε με συνοπτικές διαδικασίες και τον απέλυσε.
neutral"Καθαρίζω σαν αυγό"
To clean something perfectly (like a peeled egg).
Το έκανε το σπίτι, το καθάρισε σαν αυγό!
informal"Καθαρίζω την παρτίδα"
To win the game or settle the situation in one's favor.
Με αυτό το γκολ, καθάρισε την παρτίδα για την ομάδα του.
informal"Καθαρίζω τον λογαριασμό"
To settle a debt or to get revenge.
Θα καθαρίσουμε τον λογαριασμό μας αργότερα.
neutral/informal"Καθάρισε το τοπίο"
The situation became clear.
Τώρα που έφυγαν, καθάρισε το τοπίο.
neutral"Φωνή καθαρή"
A clear voice (often used as a verb: η φωνή του καθάρισε).
Μετά το νερό, η φωνή του καθάρισε.
neutral"Καθαρίζω τη φωλιά μου"
To fix one's own affairs/home.
Πρέπει πρώτα να καθαρίσεις τη φωλιά σου.
informal"Καθαρίζω για κάποιον"
To take the heat or solve a problem for someone else.
Μην ανησυχείς, θα καθαρίσω εγώ για σένα.
informalخانواده کلمه
اسمها
فعلها
صفتها
Summary
The verb 'καθαρίζω' is much broader than the English 'clean.' While it covers all housework, its most unique everyday use for learners is in the kitchen, where it replaces the English verbs 'peel' and 'gut.' If you want to prepare any food, you likely need to 'καθαρίσεις' it first.
- Primary Greek verb meaning 'to clean' anything from a room to a car.
- Essential for cooking: used for peeling vegetables and gutting fish.
- Metaphorically used to mean 'clearing up' situations or settling debts.
- A regular -ίζω verb that changes to -ισ- in the future and past tenses.
