Significado
To act first.
Contexto cultural
Taking initiative is often seen as a sign of 'leventia' (bravery/nobility). A person who doesn't wait for others is highly respected. In Cypriot Greek, the phrase is used similarly, but there is a strong emphasis on community-based initiatives (κοινοτικές πρωτοβουλίες). The phrase is often used to describe the founding of Greek schools or churches by early immigrants who 'took the initiative' to preserve their culture. Modern Greek startups emphasize 'taking initiative' to move away from the traditional, slow-moving public sector image.
Use it in CVs
Always use 'ικανότητα ανάληψης πρωτοβουλιών' (ability to take initiatives) to sound like a professional Greek speaker.
Avoid 'Κάνω'
Never say 'κάνω πρωτοβουλία'. It is the most common mistake for English speakers and sounds very unnatural.
Significado
To act first.
Use it in CVs
Always use 'ικανότητα ανάληψης πρωτοβουλιών' (ability to take initiatives) to sound like a professional Greek speaker.
Avoid 'Κάνω'
Never say 'κάνω πρωτοβουλία'. It is the most common mistake for English speakers and sounds very unnatural.
The 'Philotimo' connection
If you take initiative to help someone, you are showing 'philotimo'. It's a high compliment.
Teste-se
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'παίρνω' in the past tense.
Χθες, ο Γιάννης ______ την πρωτοβουλία να καθαρίσει τον κήπο.
The sentence refers to 'yesterday' (χθες) and a third-person singular subject (ο Γιάννης), so 'πήρε' is correct.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I like to take initiatives' in a job interview?
Σε μια συνέντευξη, τι θα έλεγες;
The standard collocation is 'παίρνω πρωτοβουλίες'.
Match the phrase variation to the correct context.
1. Αναλαμβάνω την πρωτοβουλία, 2. Βγαίνω μπροστά, 3. Κάνω το πρώτο βήμα
'Αναλαμβάνω' is formal, 'Βγαίνω μπροστά' is casual, and 'Κάνω το πρώτο βήμα' is for relationships.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
Α: Κανείς δεν θέλει να πλύνει τα πιάτα. Β: Εντάξει, θα ________________ εγώ να τα πλύνω.
The speaker is volunteering to act first in a future context.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosΧθες, ο Γιάννης ______ την πρωτοβουλία να καθαρίσει τον κήπο.
The sentence refers to 'yesterday' (χθες) and a third-person singular subject (ο Γιάννης), so 'πήρε' is correct.
Σε μια συνέντευξη, τι θα έλεγες;
The standard collocation is 'παίρνω πρωτοβουλίες'.
1. Αναλαμβάνω την πρωτοβουλία, 2. Βγαίνω μπροστά, 3. Κάνω το πρώτο βήμα
'Αναλαμβάνω' is formal, 'Βγαίνω μπροστά' is casual, and 'Κάνω το πρώτο βήμα' is for relationships.
Α: Κανείς δεν θέλει να πλύνει τα πιάτα. Β: Εντάξει, θα ________________ εγώ να τα πλύνω.
The speaker is volunteering to act first in a future context.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, but it implies you did it without being asked. If it's your turn to cook, it's not really an initiative.
Use 'μια' for 'an initiative' (general) and 'την' for 'the initiative' (a specific one you are about to describe).
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Yes, in the plural ('παίρνω πρωτοβουλίες') or in abstract contexts, but 'μια' is more common for single actions.
You can say 'μου λείπει η πρωτοβουλία' or 'δεν έχω πρωτοβουλία'.
Yes, 'βγαίνω μπροστά' is the closest slang equivalent.
Yes, to mean 'making the first move'.
The opposite is 'αδράνεια' (inertia) or 'παθητικότητα' (passivity).
Yes, it always ends in -α and takes feminine articles.
Yes, 'λαμβάνω' is a more formal version of 'παίρνω'.
Frases relacionadas
κάνω την αρχή
similarTo make the start
βγαίνω μπροστά
similarTo step forward
αναλαμβάνω ευθύνη
builds onTo take responsibility
ακολουθώ εντολές
contrastTo follow orders
έχω την πρωτοβουλία
specialized formTo have the initiative
