Signification
Visible part of something.
Contexte culturel
The sea is central to Greek life. Expressions involving 'surface' and 'depth' are often tied to the safety of the harbor vs. the danger of the open sea. From Plato to modern thinkers, the distinction between 'appearance' (επιφάνεια) and 'essence' (ουσία) is a recurring theme in Greek thought. During the 2010s crisis, 'staying on the surface' became a common metaphor for businesses and families just managing to pay their bills. Greeks value 'parea' (company) and deep talk. Being called 'superficial' (επιφανειακός) is often a significant social insult.
Use with 'μένω'
If you want to sound more like a native speaker when criticizing a shallow argument, use 'μένεις στην επιφάνεια' instead of 'είσαι'.
Gender Agreement
Remember 'επιφάνεια' is feminine. Always use 'την' (the) and never 'τον' or 'το'.
Signification
Visible part of something.
Use with 'μένω'
If you want to sound more like a native speaker when criticizing a shallow argument, use 'μένεις στην επιφάνεια' instead of 'είσαι'.
Gender Agreement
Remember 'επιφάνεια' is feminine. Always use 'την' (the) and never 'τον' or 'το'.
The 'Iceberg' Rule
Greeks love metaphors. Using this phrase shows you understand that there is always a 'hidden' side to things, a very Greek way of thinking.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'είμαι'.
Το λάδι ______ στην επιφάνεια του νερού.
The subject 'το λάδι' (the oil) is 3rd person singular.
Which sentence means 'The truth came to light'?
Ποια πρόταση είναι σωστή;
'Βγήκε' (came out) is used for things becoming known.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: A company is barely surviving a financial crisis.
In this context, it means 'staying afloat'.
Complete the dialogue.
- Γιατί δεν σου αρέσει η ταινία; - Γιατί η ιστορία ______.
'Μένει στην επιφάνεια' is the standard way to say a story lacks depth.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΤο λάδι ______ στην επιφάνεια του νερού.
The subject 'το λάδι' (the oil) is 3rd person singular.
Ποια πρόταση είναι σωστή;
'Βγήκε' (came out) is used for things becoming known.
Situation: A company is barely surviving a financial crisis.
In this context, it means 'staying afloat'.
- Γιατί δεν σου αρέσει η ταινία; - Γιατί η ιστορία ______.
'Μένει στην επιφάνεια' is the standard way to say a story lacks depth.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, 'στην επιφάνεια του τραπεζιού' is perfectly correct for describing where an object is.
It can be. It implies they are shallow or not thinking deeply. Use it carefully in social settings.
The opposite is 'στο βάθος' (in the depth) or 'στην ουσία' (in the essence).
No. For that, you use 'είμαι στον δρόμο'.
Expressions liées
μένω στην επιφάνεια
similarTo stay on the surface / to be superficial.
βγαίνω στην επιφάνεια
builds onTo come to the surface.
στην κορυφή
contrastAt the top / peak.
στο βάθος
contrastIn the depth / at the back.
