Signification
To have zero interest in a matter.
Contexte culturel
In Greece, being 'αδιάφορος' (indifferent) is often seen as a defense against the high-pressure social expectations of family and community. Younger Greeks use this phrase frequently to distance themselves from traditional politics or older generations' concerns. While Greeks are hard workers, there is a subculture of 'aragma' (chilling) where this phrase is used to ignore minor office stressors. The phrase reflects a 'live and let live' attitude that is common in Mediterranean coastal towns.
Use with 'ούτε' for emphasis
Say 'Δεν μου καίγεται ούτε καρφί' to sound even more like a native who is totally done with a situation.
Watch your tone
If said too aggressively, it can end a friendship. Use it with a shrug to keep it light.
Signification
To have zero interest in a matter.
Use with 'ούτε' for emphasis
Say 'Δεν μου καίγεται ούτε καρφί' to sound even more like a native who is totally done with a situation.
Watch your tone
If said too aggressively, it can end a friendship. Use it with a shrug to keep it light.
The 'Third Person' trick
It's very common to use this to complain about someone else's lack of help: 'Του καίγεται καρφί αν εγώ κουράζομαι;'
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct pronoun (μου, σου, του, κτλ).
Ο Γιάννης είναι πολύ κουλ. Δεν ___ καίγεται καρφί για τίποτα.
We use the genitive 'του' for 'him' in this idiom.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I don't care' to a friend?
A friend tells you a boring story about a celebrity.
The first is too formal, the third is grammatically wrong.
Match the Greek phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
All these are common Greek ways to express indifference.
Complete the dialogue.
- Μαρία, ο πρώην σου παντρεύεται! - ________, έχω βρει τον άνθρωπο της ζωής μου.
This is the correct idiomatic expression.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΟ Γιάννης είναι πολύ κουλ. Δεν ___ καίγεται καρφί για τίποτα.
We use the genitive 'του' for 'him' in this idiom.
A friend tells you a boring story about a celebrity.
The first is too formal, the third is grammatically wrong.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All these are common Greek ways to express indifference.
- Μαρία, ο πρώην σου παντρεύεται! - ________, έχω βρει τον άνθρωπο της ζωής μου.
This is the correct idiomatic expression.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's informal and blunt, but not a swear word. It depends on your tone and who you are talking to.
No, it's too casual. Use 'Δεν με απασχολεί' or 'Δεν είναι προτεραιότητα' instead.
In Greek, many impersonal verbs or idioms of feeling use the genitive (indirect object) to show who is experiencing the feeling.
It means 'nail' (the metal kind used in construction).
No, the idiom is always singular: 'καρφί'.
Yes, but it's very harsh. 'Δεν μου καίγεται καρφί για σένα' means 'I don't care about you at all.'
Yes, many Greek 'laiko' songs use it to describe a heartbreak where one person doesn't care anymore.
You could say 'Καίγομαι να μάθω' (I am burning to know).
Yes: 'Δεν μου καιγόταν καρφί' (I didn't care at all).
Yes, it is widely understood and used across the Greek-speaking world.
Expressions liées
στα παλιά μου τα παπούτσια
synonymI don't care at all
δεν ιδρώνει το αυτί μου
similarto be unaffected by criticism
σκασίλα μου
synonymI don't care
δεν με νοιάζει
similarI don't care
