المعنى
Used to say you have too much to do.
خلفية ثقافية
The phrase reflects a time when the 'mountain' was the primary place of hard labor (shepherding, farming). Even today, many city-dwelling Greeks have 'horia' (villages) where they return to do seasonal work. Greeks value hospitality and social gatherings. Declining an invite can be tricky; using a colorful idiom like this makes the 'no' feel less personal and more like a shared struggle against fate/work. Younger Greeks might use 'πήξαμε' (we curdled) more often, but 'δουλειές στο βουνό' remains a staple of 'millennial' and 'gen X' Greek, often used with a wink. In Cyprus, similar expressions exist, but they might use different metaphors for scale. However, 'δουλειές στο βουνό' is widely understood due to the influence of mainland Greek media.
Use it for sympathy
When you use this phrase, use a slightly tired or exasperated tone. It helps convey that you're not just busy, but working hard.
Not for literal mountains
If you are actually going to a mountain to hike, just say 'Πάω στο βουνό.' Adding 'δουλειές' makes it the idiom.
المعنى
Used to say you have too much to do.
Use it for sympathy
When you use this phrase, use a slightly tired or exasperated tone. It helps convey that you're not just busy, but working hard.
Not for literal mountains
If you are actually going to a mountain to hike, just say 'Πάω στο βουνό.' Adding 'δουλειές' makes it the idiom.
Combine with 'Άσε'
Starting the sentence with 'Άσε...' (Let it be / Don't ask) makes the idiom sound much more native. 'Άσε, έχω δουλειές στο βουνό!'
The 'Mountain' of Laundry
You can use this specifically for housework to be funny. 'Έχω ένα βουνό σιδέρωμα' (I have a mountain of ironing).
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Συγγνώμη που δεν ήρθα στο πάρτι, αλλά είχα ______ στο ______.
The correct idiom is 'δουλειές στο βουνό'.
Which of the following is the best situation to use this phrase?
Πότε μπορείς να πεις 'Έχω δουλειές στο βουνό';
This is an informal idiom best suited for friends and close acquaintances.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
Α: Θέλεις να πάμε σινεμά το βράδυ; Β: Μακάρι να μπορούσα, αλλά...
The phrase 'έχω δουλειές στο βουνό' is the standard idiomatic way to express being swamped.
Match the phrase to its meaning.
Τι σημαίνει 'Έχω δουλειές στο βουνό';
The figurative meaning is being very busy.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formal vs. Informal 'Busy'
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينΣυγγνώμη που δεν ήρθα στο πάρτι, αλλά είχα ______ στο ______.
The correct idiom is 'δουλειές στο βουνό'.
Πότε μπορείς να πεις 'Έχω δουλειές στο βουνό';
This is an informal idiom best suited for friends and close acquaintances.
Α: Θέλεις να πάμε σινεμά το βράδυ; Β: Μακάρι να μπορούσα, αλλά...
The phrase 'έχω δουλειές στο βουνό' is the standard idiomatic way to express being swamped.
Τι σημαίνει 'Έχω δουλειές στο βουνό';
The figurative meaning is being very busy.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNo, it's not rude, but it is very informal. It's a friendly way to decline something.
Only if the email is to a close friend. For work emails, use 'φόρτος εργασίας'.
99% of the time, no. It's a metaphor for having a lot of work.
The plural 'δουλειές' implies many different tasks, which makes the 'mountain' metaphor stronger.
No, this specific 'mountain' metaphor is almost always for work or burdens.
Yes, 'έχω ένα βουνό δουλειές' is a very common and correct variation.
It's 'thoo-LYES'. Make sure to blend the 'l' and 'i' into a single 'y' sound.
Yes, it is understood, though Cypriots have their own local variations for being busy.
Absolutely! Students often use it during exam periods (εξεταστική).
In Greek culture, the mountain represents hard, uphill struggle, while the sea often represents freedom or travel.
عبارات ذات صلة
έχω ένα βουνό δουλειές
synonymI have a mountain of work.
τρέχω και δεν φτάνω
similarI'm running and not arriving.
έχω πήξει
similarI'm swamped/stuck.
δουλειές με φούντες
similarWork with tassels.
κάθομαι
contrastI am sitting/doing nothing.
