Signification
Busy schedule.
Contexte culturel
The 'Kafedaki' culture means that even if someone says they have 'πολλά να κάνουν', they might still invite you for a quick coffee. It's a way of saying 'I'm busy, but you are important'. In Cyprus, the phrase is used similarly, but you might hear the dialectal 'Έχω πολλά να κάμω' (kamo instead of kano). In Greek-American or Greek-Australian communities, this phrase is often one of the few preserved by second-generation speakers to explain why they can't visit their 'yiayia' (grandma). In Greek offices, saying 'έχω πολλά να κάνω' is often a badge of honor, showing that you are a hard worker and indispensable to the team.
Add 'ακόμα' for emphasis
Say 'Έχω πολλά να κάνω ακόμα' (I still have a lot to do) to show that you've been working for a while and aren't finished yet.
Don't say 'Είμαι πολυάσχολος'
While correct, 'Είμαι πολυάσχολος' sounds very formal and stiff. 'Έχω πολλά να κάνω' is much more natural for daily life.
Signification
Busy schedule.
Add 'ακόμα' for emphasis
Say 'Έχω πολλά να κάνω ακόμα' (I still have a lot to do) to show that you've been working for a while and aren't finished yet.
Don't say 'Είμαι πολυάσχολος'
While correct, 'Είμαι πολυάσχολος' sounds very formal and stiff. 'Έχω πολλά να κάνω' is much more natural for daily life.
The 'Polite No'
If you want to decline an invitation without being rude, always start with 'Θα ήθελα πολύ, αλλά...' (I would love to, but...) followed by 'έχω πολλά να κάνω'.
Teste-toi
Conjugate the verb 'έχω' correctly.
Εμείς _______ πολλά να κάνουμε σήμερα.
The subject is 'Εμείς' (We), so the verb must be 'έχουμε'.
Which is the correct way to say 'I have a lot to do'?
Πώς το λέμε στα ελληνικά;
'Πολλά' is plural and 'κάνω' matches the first person 'έχω'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
Α: Θέλεις να πάμε σινεμά; Β: Δυστυχώς όχι, ________.
The speaker says 'Unfortunately no', so they need an excuse like 'I have a lot to do'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are at work and your boss gives you a new task, but your desk is full of papers.
'Ήδη' means 'already', making it the perfect response for a full desk.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Where to use 'Έχω πολλά να κάνω'
Work
- • Emails
- • Meetings
- • Reports
Home
- • Cleaning
- • Cooking
- • Laundry
Social
- • Excuses
- • Planning
- • Delays
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΕμείς _______ πολλά να κάνουμε σήμερα.
The subject is 'Εμείς' (We), so the verb must be 'έχουμε'.
Πώς το λέμε στα ελληνικά;
'Πολλά' is plural and 'κάνω' matches the first person 'έχω'.
Α: Θέλεις να πάμε σινεμά; Β: Δυστυχώς όχι, ________.
The speaker says 'Unfortunately no', so they need an excuse like 'I have a lot to do'.
Situation: You are at work and your boss gives you a new task, but your desk is full of papers.
'Ήδη' means 'already', making it the perfect response for a full desk.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsTechnically yes, but it's better to say 'Έχω πολλή δουλειά' if it's just one big project. 'Πολλά' implies a variety of tasks.
It is 'πολλά' (neuter plural) because it refers to 'πράγματα' (things), which is a neuter noun.
Yes, it is perfectly neutral and professional. It's a standard way to discuss workload.
Use the past tense of 'έχω', which is 'είχα'. So: 'Είχα πολλά να κάνω'.
You can just say 'Έχω πολλά' if the context of 'doing' is already clear.
'Πνίγομαι' (I'm drowning) is much more dramatic and informal. Use it only with friends when you are very stressed.
Yes, adding a time expression like 'σήμερα το βράδυ' (tonight) is very common.
Yes, in this specific collocation, 'πολλά' acts as a noun meaning 'many tasks/things'.
It's more common in speech and emails. In a formal report, you'd use 'υπάρχουν πολλές εκκρεμότητες'.
Simply replace 'πολλά' with 'τίποτα': 'Δεν έχω τίποτα να κάνω'.
Expressions liées
Έχω πολλή δουλειά
synonymI have much work.
Τρέχω και δεν φτάνω
idiomI'm running and not arriving.
Δεν προλαβαίνω
similarI don't have enough time / I can't make it.
Έχω ελεύθερο χρόνο
contrastI have free time.
