Signification
Trying hard to find opportunities or help.
Contexte culturel
In Greek cities, the 'polykatoikia' (apartment building) has made literal door-to-door knocking difficult due to intercoms (thirotileora). Thus, the idiom now mostly refers to digital or phone contact. Greeks value personal relationships. 'Knocking on doors' is often seen as more effective than just sending an anonymous email, as it shows 'leventia' (courage/spirit). During 2010-2018, 'χτυπάω πόρτες' became a symbol of the 'lost generation' trying to find work in a collapsed economy. Historically, knocking on a door in a Greek village meant you would be offered water or coffee, even if you were a stranger. This cultural background makes the 'closed door' in the idiom feel particularly harsh.
Use with 'πολλές'
Adding 'πολλές' (many) before 'πόρτες' makes the idiom sound more natural and emphasizes your hard work.
Don't use 'κρούω'
Unless you are writing a 19th-century novel, avoid 'κρούω πόρτες'. It sounds archaic.
Signification
Trying hard to find opportunities or help.
Use with 'πολλές'
Adding 'πολλές' (many) before 'πόρτες' makes the idiom sound more natural and emphasizes your hard work.
Don't use 'κρούω'
Unless you are writing a 19th-century novel, avoid 'κρούω πόρτες'. It sounds archaic.
The 'Closed Door' response
If someone says 'βρήκα κλειστές πόρτες', show empathy. It's a common expression of frustration in Greece.
Teste-toi
Συμπληρώστε το κενό με τη σωστή μορφή του ρήματος 'χτυπάω'.
Ο Γιάννης ___________ πόρτες εδώ και δύο μήνες, αλλά δεν έχει βρει ακόμα δουλειά.
We use the present tense (χτυπάει) because the action is ongoing ('εδώ και δύο μήνες').
Ποια πρόταση χρησιμοποιεί σωστά το ιδίωμα;
Επιλέξτε τη σωστή πρόταση:
This is the figurative use of the idiom, meaning to seek opportunities/sponsorships.
Αντιστοιχίστε τις φράσεις με τη σημασία τους.
Αντιστοίχιση:
These are the three main variations of the 'door' metaphor in Greek.
Συμπληρώστε τον διάλογο.
Α: Πώς θα βρεις λεφτά για το ταξίδι; Β: Θα ________________________________.
The speaker is planning to ask relatives for financial help.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Where to Knock
Work
- • Εταιρείες
- • Γραφεία
- • Μαγαζιά
Help
- • Υπουργεία
- • Φίλοι
- • Οργανισμοί
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΟ Γιάννης ___________ πόρτες εδώ και δύο μήνες, αλλά δεν έχει βρει ακόμα δουλειά.
We use the present tense (χτυπάει) because the action is ongoing ('εδώ και δύο μήνες').
Επιλέξτε τη σωστή πρόταση:
This is the figurative use of the idiom, meaning to seek opportunities/sponsorships.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the three main variations of the 'door' metaphor in Greek.
Α: Πώς θα βρεις λεφτά για το ταξίδι; Β: Θα ________________________________.
The speaker is planning to ask relatives for financial help.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot really. It sounds too much like a business or survival struggle. For dating, we use different metaphors.
Both are correct. 'Χτυπάω' is more common in speech, 'χτυπώ' is slightly more formal.
In the idiom, no. It can mean emails, calls, or visits.
It's neutral-to-positive regarding the effort, but often describes a difficult situation.
Yes! That is a very common poetic/motivational variation.
The opposite is 'κάθομαι με σταυρωμένα χέρια' (sitting with crossed hands/doing nothing).
Yes, it is used throughout the Greek-speaking world with the same meaning.
No, it's an idiom. In a CV, use 'αναζήτηση ευκαιριών' or 'ανάληψη πρωτοβουλιών'.
Χτύπησα όλες τις πόρτες.
No, it is a standard idiom used by all age groups and in most settings.
Expressions liées
ανοίγω πόρτες
builds onTo create opportunities.
κλείνω την πόρτα
contrastTo reject or end an opportunity.
πίσω από κλειστές πόρτες
similarIn secret.
μου κλείνουν την πόρτα κατάμουτρα
specialized formTo be rudely rejected.
