Signification
Knowing a subject very well.
Contexte culturel
Greek students often use this phrase during the 'Panhellenic Exams,' the high-stakes university entrance tests. Mastery is the only way to succeed. The phrase is a nod to the 'bouzouki' culture, where virtuosos are judged by their finger speed and accuracy. In traditional Greek villages, a 'mastoras' (master builder) was someone who 'had the stone in his fingers.' Greece has a rapidly growing tech sector; you'll hear this phrase in Athens startups regarding coding languages.
Confidence Booster
Use this in job interviews to sound like a native who is confident in their skills.
Object Case
Always put the thing you know in the Accusative case (e.g., την ιστορία, το Excel).
Signification
Knowing a subject very well.
Confidence Booster
Use this in job interviews to sound like a native who is confident in their skills.
Object Case
Always put the thing you know in the Accusative case (e.g., την ιστορία, το Excel).
The 'It' Factor
Most often, Greeks just say 'Το παίζω στα δάχτυλα' (I know IT inside out) once the topic is established.
Body Language
When saying this, you can wiggle your fingers slightly to emphasize the 'dexterity' of your knowledge.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Ο Γιώργος είναι προγραμματιστής και ______ την Python στα _______.
The standard idiom is 'παίζω [κάτι] στα δάχτυλα'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to describe expertise?
Ποια πρόταση είναι σωστή;
The idiom requires the subject of mastery (ιστορία) to be the object of the verb 'παίζω'.
Match the person to the thing they 'play in their fingers'.
Σύνδεσε τα παρακάτω:
A taxi driver knows roads, a cook knows recipes, and a student knows the exam material.
Complete the dialogue.
- Πώς πήγε η εξέταση; - Τέλεια! ______.
'Την' refers to the exam (εξέταση), and the imperfect tense 'έπαιζα' shows the state of knowledge during the exam.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Knowing vs. Mastering
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΟ Γιώργος είναι προγραμματιστής και ______ την Python στα _______.
The standard idiom is 'παίζω [κάτι] στα δάχτυλα'.
Ποια πρόταση είναι σωστή;
The idiom requires the subject of mastery (ιστορία) to be the object of the verb 'παίζω'.
Σύνδεσε τα παρακάτω:
A taxi driver knows roads, a cook knows recipes, and a student knows the exam material.
- Πώς πήγε η εξέταση; - Τέλεια! ______.
'Την' refers to the exam (εξέταση), and the imperfect tense 'έπαιζα' shows the state of knowledge during the exam.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's better not to. It can imply you are manipulating them like a puppet. Use 'Τον ξέρω πολύ καλά' instead.
It's fine for a friendly boss, but in a very formal report, use 'έχω πλήρη γνώση'.
No, it's actually more common for intellectual subjects like history, law, or math.
'Ξέρω απ' έξω' is 'I know by heart' (memorization). 'Παίζω στα δάχτυλα' is 'I have mastered it' (expertise).
No, the idiom is fixed with 'δάχτυλα' (fingers).
Yes, it is widely understood and used across the Greek-speaking world.
Yes: 'Το έπαιζα στα δάχτυλα αλλά το ξέχασα' (I used to know it inside out but I forgot it).
Yes, 'Δεν το παίζω στα δάχτυλα' means you aren't an expert yet.
Absolutely! 'Παίζω τα αγγλικά στα δάχτυλα' is a great way to describe fluency.
Not directly, though being an expert at cards would certainly qualify you to use the phrase!
Expressions liées
ξέρω απ' έξω κι ανακατωτά
synonymTo know something by heart and in detail.
το έχω στο τσεπάκι
similarTo have something in the pocket (guaranteed success).
είμαι ξεφτέρι
similarTo be sharp/quick-witted.
το κατέχω
builds onI possess/master it.
