Signification
To help someone with a task.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is linked to 'Filotimo'. Helping a neighbor or a stranger is seen as a moral duty, not just a favor. Similar usage, but often delivered with a distinct Cypriot accent and sometimes using local verbs for 'giving'. Greek communities abroad (Australia, USA) use this phrase to maintain a sense of ethnic solidarity and support for newcomers. The use of 'χείρα' reflects the influence of the Orthodox Church and Byzantine administration on the language, where formal, archaic Greek was the standard.
Master the 'ei'
Always spell 'χείρα' with 'ει'. It comes from the ancient 'χείρ', and keeping the spelling correct shows you know your Greek roots!
Gender Alert
Don't say 'έναν χείρα'. Even though most words ending in -α are masculine in some contexts, 'χείρα' is strictly feminine. Use 'μια'.
Signification
To help someone with a task.
Master the 'ei'
Always spell 'χείρα' with 'ει'. It comes from the ancient 'χείρ', and keeping the spelling correct shows you know your Greek roots!
Gender Alert
Don't say 'έναν χείρα'. Even though most words ending in -α are masculine in some contexts, 'χείρα' is strictly feminine. Use 'μια'.
The Power of the Hand
Greeks use their hands a lot while talking. Offering a 'hand' is a very physical and meaningful metaphor in Greek culture.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the idiom.
Ο διευθυντής υποσχέθηκε να μας δώσει μια ______ βοηθείας.
The formal idiom always uses the archaic feminine form 'χείρα'.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal email?
Offering help to a new business partner:
This option uses the formal register appropriate for business.
Match the Greek phrase with its register.
Match the following:
Each variation serves a different social purpose.
Complete the dialogue.
Α: Έχω πάρα πολλή δουλειά και δεν θα προλάβω. Β: Μην ανησυχείς, θα σου ______ μια χείρα βοηθείας.
The verb 'δίνω' (give) is the standard verb for this idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Χέρι vs. Χείρα
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΟ διευθυντής υποσχέθηκε να μας δώσει μια ______ βοηθείας.
The formal idiom always uses the archaic feminine form 'χείρα'.
Offering help to a new business partner:
This option uses the formal register appropriate for business.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Each variation serves a different social purpose.
Α: Έχω πάρα πολλή δουλειά και δεν θα προλάβω. Β: Μην ανησυχείς, θα σου ______ μια χείρα βοηθείας.
The verb 'δίνω' (give) is the standard verb for this idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's understandable but sounds like a mistake. Stick to 'δίνω μια χείρα βοηθείας' (formal) or 'δίνω ένα χέρι' (informal).
Yes! For example, 'εν χείρα' (in hand) or 'σιδηρά χείρ' (iron fist/hand).
Slightly. With close friends, 'δώσε ένα χέρι' is more natural. Use 'χείρα βοηθείας' when you want to be extra polite or helpful.
Usually it implies effort or support. For money, Greeks usually say 'δίνω οικονομική ενίσχυση'.
You say 'Χρειάζομαι μια χείρα βοηθείας'.
It's rarely used in plural, but it would be 'χείρες βοηθείας'.
Yes, 'προσφέρω μια χείρα βοηθείας' is very elegant and common in writing.
Yes, it is perfectly understood and used in Cyprus as well.
In this phrase, it is 'χείρα' (accusative). 'Χείρας' would be plural or ancient genitive.
Yes, it can be used metaphorically for emotional support, though 'συμπαράσταση' is more specific.
Expressions liées
δίνω ένα χέρι
similarTo help out
τείνω χείρα βοηθείας
specialized formTo extend a helping hand
βοηθάω
synonymTo help
συμπαραστέκομαι
builds onTo stand by someone
βάζω πλάτη
similarTo put one's back into it
