Signification
To trust or admire someone deeply.
Contexte culturel
Water is a symbol of life and purity in Greek folklore. Offering water to a guest is the first act of hospitality (philoxenia). The concept of 'drinking in a name' has echoes in the use of Holy Water (Agiasmos) and the veneration of Saints' names. Personal recommendations (systaseis) are often more important than formal qualifications in Greece. This idiom is the verbal currency of such recommendations. Despite modernization, Greeks still rely heavily on 'their' people (the 'own' mechanic, the 'own' doctor).
Use for Recommendations
This is the best phrase to use when you want to give a 5-star verbal review of a professional.
Don't over-use
If you say this about everyone, it loses its power. Save it for the people you truly admire.
Signification
To trust or admire someone deeply.
Use for Recommendations
This is the best phrase to use when you want to give a 5-star verbal review of a professional.
Don't over-use
If you say this about everyone, it loses its power. Save it for the people you truly admire.
The 'Name' Power
Remember that in Greece, a person's 'name' is their most valuable asset. Using this phrase is a high honor.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Ο πατέρας μου είναι τόσο ευχαριστημένος με τον δικηγόρο του που πίνει ______ στο ______ του.
The idiom is fixed: 'πίνω νερό στο όνομα κάποιου'.
Which sentence correctly uses the idiom to show trust in a woman named Maria?
How do you say 'I trust Maria completely' using the idiom?
You need the preposition 'στο' and the genitive case 'της Μαρίας'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
- Πώς είναι ο νέος σου συνεργάτης; - Είναι καταπληκτικός! Πραγματικά, ______ (εγώ) στο όνομά του.
The subject is 'εγώ' (I), so the verb must be 'πίνω'.
Match the situation to the correct Greek expression.
You want to tell your friend that your doctor is the most reliable person you know.
This is the standard way to express absolute trust in a professional.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΟ πατέρας μου είναι τόσο ευχαριστημένος με τον δικηγόρο του που πίνει ______ στο ______ του.
The idiom is fixed: 'πίνω νερό στο όνομα κάποιου'.
How do you say 'I trust Maria completely' using the idiom?
You need the preposition 'στο' and the genitive case 'της Μαρίας'.
- Πώς είναι ο νέος σου συνεργάτης; - Είναι καταπληκτικός! Πραγματικά, ______ (εγώ) στο όνομά του.
The subject is 'εγώ' (I), so the verb must be 'πίνω'.
You want to tell your friend that your doctor is the most reliable person you know.
This is the standard way to express absolute trust in a professional.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsTechnically yes, but it's much more common for people. You might say it for a brand of car if it's never broken down, but it sounds a bit more natural for the person who fixed it.
It might be a bit too informal. Better to say 'Έχω απόλυτη εμπιστοσύνη στον πρώην συνεργάτη μου' (I have absolute trust in my former partner).
No, for 99% of Greeks today, it is a purely secular idiom about trust.
Just change the ending: 'Πίνω νερό στο όνομά τους' (I trust them).
You can say 'Δεν πίνω νερό στο όνομά του', which means you don't trust him, but it's more common to just use the positive form to praise someone.
Expressions liées
βάζω το χέρι μου στη φωτιά
similarTo vouch for someone 100%.
είναι εγγύηση
synonymHe/she is a guarantee.
τον έχω κορώνα στο κεφάλι μου
similarTo hold someone in the highest regard.
του βγάζω το καπέλο
builds onI take my hat off to him.
