Signification
To maintain a cautious or professional boundary in social interactions
Contexte culturel
In Greek offices, the line between 'colleague' and 'friend' is often blurred. Using 'κρατώ αποστάσεις' is a conscious strategy used by younger professionals to avoid the 'family-style' office drama that was common in older generations. In smaller communities, keeping distance can be seen as a sign of 'psilomitis' (arrogance). If you don't greet everyone or share some news, people might say you are keeping distance because you think you are better than them. Greek politics is very polarized. Politicians frequently use 'κρατώ αποστάσεις' to avoid being associated with a failing policy or a controversial statement by an ally without explicitly condemning them. In the era of Instagram, 'κρατώ αποστάσεις' often means not liking someone's photos or not replying to stories immediately to signal a lack of interest or a need for space.
Use 'μου' for emphasis
Saying 'Κρατώ τις αποστάσεις μου' sounds more natural and native than just 'Κρατώ αποστάσεις' when talking about your own personal choices.
Don't sound too cold
If you tell someone 'Κρατάω αποστάσεις από εσένα' to their face, it is very rude. It is better used to describe your behavior to a third party.
Signification
To maintain a cautious or professional boundary in social interactions
Use 'μου' for emphasis
Saying 'Κρατώ τις αποστάσεις μου' sounds more natural and native than just 'Κρατώ αποστάσεις' when talking about your own personal choices.
Don't sound too cold
If you tell someone 'Κρατάω αποστάσεις από εσένα' to their face, it is very rude. It is better used to describe your behavior to a third party.
The 'Professional' Shield
In Greece, if you want to avoid a social invitation without being rude, you can't really use this phrase. Instead, use 'Έχω πολλή δουλειά' (I have much work).
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'κρατώ' and the correct preposition.
Ο Γιάννης είναι πολύ περίεργος, γι' αυτό _________ αποστάσεις _________ αυτόν.
We use 'κρατάω' (I keep) and the preposition 'από' (from) to show who we are keeping distance from.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a professional setting?
Πώς θα λέγατε ότι δεν θέλετε να μπλέξετε στα προσωπικά των συναδέλφων σας;
Option (β) is professional and clear. (α) is slang/rude, (γ) is too emotional, and (δ) is too literal.
Match the phrase variation to the context.
1. Τηρώ αποστάσεις, 2. Κρατάω αποστάσεις, 3. Παίρνω αποστάσεις
'Τηρώ' is for rules, 'Κρατάω' is for personal habits, 'Παίρνω' is for a specific reaction to an event.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
Α: Γιατί δεν ήρθες στην παρέα μας χθες; Β: Είδα ότι υπήρχε ένταση και προτίμησα να _________________.
The Aorist 'κρατήσω' is needed here to describe a specific past decision.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Physical vs. Social Distance
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΟ Γιάννης είναι πολύ περίεργος, γι' αυτό _________ αποστάσεις _________ αυτόν.
We use 'κρατάω' (I keep) and the preposition 'από' (from) to show who we are keeping distance from.
Πώς θα λέγατε ότι δεν θέλετε να μπλέξετε στα προσωπικά των συναδέλφων σας;
Option (β) is professional and clear. (α) is slang/rude, (γ) is too emotional, and (δ) is too literal.
1. Τηρώ αποστάσεις, 2. Κρατάω αποστάσεις, 3. Παίρνω αποστάσεις
'Τηρώ' is for rules, 'Κρατάω' is for personal habits, 'Παίρνω' is for a specific reaction to an event.
Α: Γιατί δεν ήρθες στην παρέα μας χθες; Β: Είδα ότι υπήρχε ένταση και προτίμησα να _________________.
The Aorist 'κρατήσω' is needed here to describe a specific past decision.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questions'Κρατάω' is more common in daily speech, while 'κρατώ' is slightly more formal. Both are perfectly correct.
Yes, during the pandemic, 'κρατάμε αποστάσεις' was the official slogan for physical distancing.
Not necessarily. It can mean you respect them so much that you don't want to be over-familiar, or you just value your privacy.
The opposite would be 'έρχομαι κοντά' (coming close) or 'γινόμαστε αυτοκόλλητοι' (becoming inseparable/like glue).
Only in the literal sense of physical distance, like 'κρατάω αποστάσεις από τον γκρεμό' (I keep distance from the cliff).
Yes, it is often used to describe stoic characters or those who feel alienated from society.
You say 'Κράτησα αποστάσεις' (Aorist tense).
Very much so. It's used to describe a company's neutral stance on an issue.
It can, depending on your tone. If you say it with a sigh, it sounds like a necessary boundary. If you say it with a smirk, it sounds snobbish.
You can, but it sounds more like a physical measurement. The plural 'αποστάσεις' is the idiomatic way for social contexts.
Expressions liées
βάζω όρια
similarTo set boundaries
παίρνω το αίμα μου πίσω
contrastTo get revenge
γίνομαι ένα με κάποιον
contrastTo become one with someone
κρατάω πισινή
similarTo be cautious/keep a backup plan
