Meaning
To bring up an old or sensitive issue again.
Cultural Background
In Greece, political issues like 'The Macedonian Name Dispute' or 'German Reparations' are often described as being 'ανακινούμενα' (stirred up) every few years. It reflects a political landscape where old issues never truly die. Greek families often have 'taboo' topics, especially regarding land and inheritance. To 'ανακινήσεις το θέμα' in a family gathering is a sign of significant tension. Greek headlines use this phrase constantly to signal that a 'cold case' or a forgotten scandal is back in the news. In Greek law, 'ανακίνηση διαδικασίας' is a formal term for restarting a legal process that had been paused.
Use the Passive for Diplomacy
If you want to bring up a topic without sounding like you are the one causing trouble, use the passive: 'Θα ήταν καλό να ανακινηθεί το θέμα' (It would be good for the topic to be brought up).
Don't use for 'Stirring' People
You can't 'ανακινώ' a person. If you want to say someone is 'stirring' people up, use 'ξεσηκώνω'.
Meaning
To bring up an old or sensitive issue again.
Use the Passive for Diplomacy
If you want to bring up a topic without sounding like you are the one causing trouble, use the passive: 'Θα ήταν καλό να ανακινηθεί το θέμα' (It would be good for the topic to be brought up).
Don't use for 'Stirring' People
You can't 'ανακινώ' a person. If you want to say someone is 'stirring' people up, use 'ξεσηκώνω'.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the formal sentence.
Η κυβέρνηση αποφάσισε να ________ το θέμα των συντάξεων.
'Ανακινήσει' is the correct formal collocation for bringing up a topic.
Fill in the missing word in this common phrase.
Μην ________ το θέμα τώρα, θα θυμώσει ο πατέρας σου.
The present imperative/subjunctive is used here to give a warning.
Match the phrase to the most likely context.
Πότε χρησιμοποιούμε το 'ανακινώ το θέμα';
It specifically refers to reopening a previous discussion.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
Α: Γιατί είσαι στεναχωρημένος; Β: Γιατί ο αδερφός μου ________ το θέμα της κληρονομιάς πάλι.
The Aorist 'ανακίνησε' is needed to describe a completed action in the past.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesΗ κυβέρνηση αποφάσισε να ________ το θέμα των συντάξεων.
'Ανακινήσει' is the correct formal collocation for bringing up a topic.
Μην ________ το θέμα τώρα, θα θυμώσει ο πατέρας σου.
The present imperative/subjunctive is used here to give a warning.
Πότε χρησιμοποιούμε το 'ανακινώ το θέμα';
It specifically refers to reopening a previous discussion.
Α: Γιατί είσαι στεναχωρημένος; Β: Γιατί ο αδερφός μου ________ το θέμα της κληρονομιάς πάλι.
The Aorist 'ανακίνησε' is needed to describe a completed action in the past.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNot necessarily, but it often implies that the topic is sensitive or difficult. It's 'heavy' rather than 'bad'.
Yes, e.g., 'ανακινώ το θέμα της αύξησης' (bringing up the topic of a raise) is positive for the employee!
'Ανακινώ' suggests stirring something that was settled/hidden. 'Επαναφέρω' just means bringing it back to the table.
You can say 'Μην το ανακινείς αυτό το θέμα'.
Related Phrases
αναμοχλεύω τα πάθη
specialized formTo stir up passions/emotions.
επαναφέρω το ζήτημα
synonymTo bring back the issue.
ανοίγω τον ασκό του Αιόλου
builds onTo open Aeolus' bag (open a can of worms).
σκαλίζω το παρελθόν
similarTo dig into the past.
