Signification
To annoy someone intensely.
Contexte culturel
In Greece, complaining is often a form of social bonding. Sharing what 'breaks your nerves' is a way to find common ground with others. The phrase is frequently used within families. It's considered a 'safe' way to express anger without being overly aggressive or using profanity. While informal, it's common in Greek offices during 'coffee breaks' to vent about clients or bureaucracy using this phrase. The phrase is the unofficial motto of the Athenian driver. It captures the specific 'urban rage' of a crowded city.
Use it to vent
Don't be afraid to use this phrase when you're frustrated. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker than using 'είμαι θυμωμένος' (I am angry).
Watch the pronoun
Always remember to include 'μου', 'σου', etc. Saying just 'σπάω τα νεύρα' sounds incomplete.
Signification
To annoy someone intensely.
Use it to vent
Don't be afraid to use this phrase when you're frustrated. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker than using 'είμαι θυμωμένος' (I am angry).
Watch the pronoun
Always remember to include 'μου', 'σου', etc. Saying just 'σπάω τα νεύρα' sounds incomplete.
The Noun Form
Use 'σπάσιμο νεύρων' to describe a whole situation. 'Αυτή η ταινία ήταν σπάσιμο νεύρων!' (This movie was a total annoyance!)
Body Language
Greeks often accompany this phrase with a hand gesture (rubbing the forehead or a sharp wave of the hand) to emphasize the frustration.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct possessive pronoun (μου, σου, του, κλπ).
Η κίνηση στους δρόμους ___ σπάει τα νεύρα κάθε πρωί.
We use the weak genitive 'μου' to show whose nerves are being broken.
Which sentence is the most natural way to complain about a noisy neighbor?
Ο γείτονας κάνει πολλή φασαρία.
'Νεύρα' must be plural, and the pronoun must be 'μου'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: Your computer has crashed for the third time today.
This is the appropriate expression for intense frustration with technology.
Complete the dialogue.
Α: Γιατί φωνάζεις; Β: Γιατί ο Γιώργος _________ με τις ειρωνείες του!
Irony (ειρωνεία) causes annoyance, which 'breaks the nerves'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Levels of Anger in Greek
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΗ κίνηση στους δρόμους ___ σπάει τα νεύρα κάθε πρωί.
We use the weak genitive 'μου' to show whose nerves are being broken.
Ο γείτονας κάνει πολλή φασαρία.
'Νεύρα' must be plural, and the pronoun must be 'μου'.
Situation: Your computer has crashed for the third time today.
This is the appropriate expression for intense frustration with technology.
Α: Γιατί φωνάζεις; Β: Γιατί ο Γιώργος _________ με τις ειρωνείες του!
Irony (ειρωνεία) causes annoyance, which 'breaks the nerves'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's informal, but not 'curse-word' rude. It's fine for friends, but avoid it with your boss.
Yes! 'Μου σπάει τα νεύρα ο Γιάννης' (Yiannis is breaking my nerves) is very common.
'Σπάω τα νεύρα' is the action of annoying, 'έχω νεύρα' is the state of being annoyed.
Yes: 'Μου έσπασε τα νεύρα' (He/She/It broke my nerves).
Yes, you can say 'Με εκνευρίζει' (It irritates me).
It's rare. It would mean you are doing something that you know will annoy you.
No, objects (like a slow computer) or situations (like traffic) can break your nerves too.
Yes, it is a universal Greek idiom.
No, it's usually for irritations, not for deep tragedies.
There isn't a direct 'nerve-fixing' idiom, but 'μου φτιάχνει τη διάθεση' (it makes my mood) is the positive counterpart.
Expressions liées
μου τη δίνει
synonymit gets to me / it annoys me
σπάω πλάκα
contrastto joke around / have fun
μου ανεβάζει το αίμα στο κεφάλι
similarit makes my blood boil
γίνομαι έξαλλος
builds onto become furious
σπάσιμο
specialized forma bummer / an annoyance
