Signification
Patience is necessary.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'Agali-agali' (slowly-slowly) is a core Mediterranean value. It suggests that rushing leads to poor quality and high stress. Many Greeks believe that God has a plan for everyone's life, so things will happen when God decides the time is right. In villages, life is dictated by the seasons (harvest, sowing). This phrase is a reminder of that natural, unhurried cycle. Despite the fast pace of Athens, this phrase is used to resist the 'burnout' culture imported from the West.
The 'Comfort' Tool
Use this phrase when you don't know what else to say to someone who is stressed about the future. It's the ultimate 'safe' Greek advice.
Don't sound lazy
Be careful not to use this to justify your own lateness. If you are late for a meeting, this phrase will make you sound arrogant.
Signification
Patience is necessary.
The 'Comfort' Tool
Use this phrase when you don't know what else to say to someone who is stressed about the future. It's the ultimate 'safe' Greek advice.
Don't sound lazy
Be careful not to use this to justify your own lateness. If you are late for a meeting, this phrase will make you sound arrogant.
The plural rule
Always remember it's 'τους' (plural). Using 'του' (singular) is the #1 sign of a non-native speaker.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.
Τα ______ στην ______ τους.
The standard form is 'Τα πάντα στην ώρα τους'.
Which response is most appropriate for a friend who is crying because they haven't found a partner yet?
Φίλος: 'Φοβάμαι ότι θα μείνω μόνος μου για πάντα!'
Option (a) offers comfort and encourages patience, which is the figurative use of the phrase.
Match the Greek phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
This helps distinguish between different uses of the word 'ώρα'.
Complete the dialogue between a boss and an employee.
Υπάλληλος: 'Θέλω να μάθω το αποτέλεσμα της αξιολόγησης τώρα!' Διευθυντής: 'Δεν είναι ακόμα έτοιμο. ________.'
The boss is advising the employee to wait for the natural conclusion of the process.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΤα ______ στην ______ τους.
The standard form is 'Τα πάντα στην ώρα τους'.
Φίλος: 'Φοβάμαι ότι θα μείνω μόνος μου για πάντα!'
Option (a) offers comfort and encourages patience, which is the figurative use of the phrase.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
This helps distinguish between different uses of the word 'ώρα'.
Υπάλληλος: 'Θέλω να μάθω το αποτέλεσμα της αξιολόγησης τώρα!' Διευθυντής: 'Δεν είναι ακόμα έτοιμο. ________.'
The boss is advising the employee to wait for the natural conclusion of the process.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsIt has religious origins, but today it is used by everyone, regardless of faith, as a general piece of wisdom.
Yes, if you are advising a client or colleague to be patient regarding a process that takes time (like a legal procedure).
They are very similar, but 'καιρό' (season/weather) feels more traditional or agricultural, while 'ώρα' (hour) is more modern and general.
The article 'τα' makes it more emphatic, meaning 'absolutely everything' or 'the universe of things'.
Expressions liées
κάθε πράγμα στον καιρό του
synonymEvery thing in its season.
αγάλι-αγάλι
similarSlowly-slowly.
όποιος βιάζεται σκοντάφτει
builds onHe who hurries, stumbles.
ο χρόνος είναι γιατρός
similarTime is a healer.
