Signification
Excuses that are not convincing or sincere.
Contexte culturel
In Greece, social honesty is highly valued in close circles. Calling out 'φτηνές δικαιολογίες' is not always seen as rude; it can be a sign of a 'true' friendship where you don't need to hide behind formalities. Cypriot Greek uses the phrase similarly, but you might also hear 'πελλάρες' (nonsense) used in the same context to dismiss weak excuses. In communities in the US or Australia, the phrase is often one of the few idiomatic expressions preserved by second-generation speakers to express frustration with family members. In modern Athenian offices, this phrase is increasingly used to describe 'PR speak' or corporate jargon that avoids addressing real problems.
Use with 'Έλα τώρα'
Pairing the phrase with 'Έλα τώρα' (Come on now) makes you sound like a native speaker calling out a bluff.
Don't use with your boss
Unless you want to get fired, avoid calling your superior's explanations 'φτηνές'.
Signification
Excuses that are not convincing or sincere.
Use with 'Έλα τώρα'
Pairing the phrase with 'Έλα τώρα' (Come on now) makes you sound like a native speaker calling out a bluff.
Don't use with your boss
Unless you want to get fired, avoid calling your superior's explanations 'φτηνές'.
The 'Filotimo' connection
Remember that calling an excuse 'cheap' is a critique of the person's character, not just their logic.
Plural is key
Even if someone gives only one excuse, Greeks often use the plural 'φτηνές δικαιολογίες' to dismiss the whole attempt.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'φτηνός'.
Δεν με πείθεις με αυτές τις ______ δικαιολογίες.
The noun 'δικαιολογίες' is feminine plural, so the adjective must be 'φτηνές'.
Which verb is most commonly used with 'φτηνές δικαιολογίες'?
Ο Γιάννης πάντα ______ φτηνές δικαιολογίες για να μην δουλέψει.
'Βρίσκει δικαιολογίες' (finds excuses) is the standard collocation.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: Your friend says they forgot to call you because their phone 'ran out of battery' for three days.
This is a classic 'lame excuse' situation where you would use the phrase.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
Α: Γιατί δεν έστειλες το email; Β: Ξέχασα τον κωδικό μου... Α: Έλα τώρα, μην μου λες ______ ______.
The context of a weak excuse for a simple task perfectly fits the phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Excuses vs. Truth
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΔεν με πείθεις με αυτές τις ______ δικαιολογίες.
The noun 'δικαιολογίες' is feminine plural, so the adjective must be 'φτηνές'.
Ο Γιάννης πάντα ______ φτηνές δικαιολογίες για να μην δουλέψει.
'Βρίσκει δικαιολογίες' (finds excuses) is the standard collocation.
Situation: Your friend says they forgot to call you because their phone 'ran out of battery' for three days.
This is a classic 'lame excuse' situation where you would use the phrase.
Α: Γιατί δεν έστειλες το email; Β: Ξέχασα τον κωδικό μου... Α: Έλα τώρα, μην μου λες ______ ______.
The context of a weak excuse for a simple task perfectly fits the phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, it is dismissive. Use it only when you are comfortable being confrontational or with close friends.
Yes, but the plural is much more common for general dismissal.
A 'ψέμα' is a lie. A 'φτηνή δικαιολογία' is a specific type of lie used to justify a failure.
Only if you are in a high position and criticizing a report, but it's still very aggressive.
Yes, 'αβάσιμοι ισχυρισμοί' (unfounded claims) is the formal equivalent.
In this collocation, yes. It means low quality and insincere.
Χόρτασα από τις φτηνές δικαιολογίες σου.
Constantly. It's a favorite phrase in Greek 'Kapsoura' (heartbreak) songs.
Yes, parents use it often when children try to avoid homework.
Ειλικρινής εξήγηση (sincere explanation).
No, only to justifications or explanations.
No, 'τζάμπα' means 'for free' and doesn't work in this collocation.
Expressions liées
ψεύτικες υποσχέσεις
similarFalse promises
κροκοδείλια δάκρυα
similarCrocodile tears
πρόσχημα
synonymPretext
παραμύθια της Χαλιμάς
slangTall tales
ρίχνω το φταίξιμο
builds onTo shift the blame
