Signification
Saving money or setting things aside
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'kompodesima' (tying a knot) is the traditional way Greeks saved money, literally tying coins into a handkerchief and putting it 'in the corner' of a chest. In Cyprus, the phrase is used similarly, but you might also hear 'φυλάω' (to guard) used more frequently in place of 'βάζω' when referring to saving for children's dowries. Among Greeks in the US or Australia, this phrase is one of the most resilient, often used when discussing the 'remittances' sent back to the village. With the rise of minimalism and 'decluttering' trends in Athens, 'βάζω στην άκρη' is now frequently used in the context of 'digital detoxing'—setting the phone aside.
Use it for focus
When you want to show you are focused, say 'Βάζω όλα τα άλλα στην άκρη' (I'm putting everything else aside).
Don't forget the 'ν'
Always keep the 'ν' in 'στην' because 'άκρη' starts with a vowel. 'Στη άκρη' sounds wrong.
Signification
Saving money or setting things aside
Use it for focus
When you want to show you are focused, say 'Βάζω όλα τα άλλα στην άκρη' (I'm putting everything else aside).
Don't forget the 'ν'
Always keep the 'ν' in 'στην' because 'άκρη' starts with a vowel. 'Στη άκρη' sounds wrong.
The 'Kompodesima' connection
If you want to sound very native, use the word 'κομπόδεμα' when talking about the money you've put aside.
Politeness
Using 'Ας το βάλουμε στην άκρη' is a very polite way to stop a conversation that is becoming too heated.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'βάζω' in the past tense (Aorist).
Χθες, _______ (εγώ) δέκα ευρώ στην άκρη για το εισιτήριο.
The sentence refers to a completed action in the past ('χθες'), so we use the Aorist 'έβαλα.'
Which sentence means 'Let's ignore our problems for a while'?
Ποια πρόταση είναι σωστή;
Option A uses the correct idiom. Option B implies throwing them away. Option C is a literal translation error. Option D is slang for 'get out of the way.'
Match the Greek phrase with its English context.
Ταίριαξε τις φράσεις:
All these are valid uses of the phrase in different contexts.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
Α: Γιατί δεν αγοράζεις αυτό το κινητό; Β: Γιατί θέλω να ________________ για τις διακοπές μου.
The context is saving money for a future goal (vacation).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
βάζω στην άκρη vs. πετάω
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΧθες, _______ (εγώ) δέκα ευρώ στην άκρη για το εισιτήριο.
The sentence refers to a completed action in the past ('χθες'), so we use the Aorist 'έβαλα.'
Ποια πρόταση είναι σωστή;
Option A uses the correct idiom. Option B implies throwing them away. Option C is a literal translation error. Option D is slang for 'get out of the way.'
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All these are valid uses of the phrase in different contexts.
Α: Γιατί δεν αγοράζεις αυτό το κινητό; Β: Γιατί θέλω να ________________ για τις διακοπές μου.
The context is saving money for a future goal (vacation).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but be careful. 'Τον έβαλα στην άκρη' means you sidelined or ignored him. It can be negative.
No, it's for anything physical (shoes, books) or abstract (problems, feelings, time).
There isn't one direct idiom, but 'βγάζω μπροστά' (bring to the front) or 'χρησιμοποιώ' (use) are opposites in context.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Use 'Έβαλα στην άκρη.'
It's understandable but 'στην άκρη' is the standard idiom.
No! It means to keep for later.
Yes! 'Βάζω χρόνο στην άκρη' means to reserve time for something.
Yes, for budgets and prioritizing projects.
'Αποταμιεύω' is strictly for money and is more formal.
Expressions liées
κάνω άκρη
similarTo move aside / get out of the way
αποταμιεύω
synonymTo save money
παραμερίζω
similarTo push aside
φυλάω
builds onTo keep/guard
πετάω
contrastTo throw away
