Meaning
To depart very quickly.
Cultural Background
In Greece, 'leaving' is often a long process involving multiple goodbyes. Saying 'φεύγω τρέχοντας' is a socially acceptable way to bypass this long ritual when you are actually in a hurry. Greeks value their free time. The phrase is often used with a sense of joy when leaving work on a Friday or before a holiday. If a guest leaves 'τρέχοντας', a Greek host might feel they didn't provide enough hospitality, unless the guest explains they have an urgent matter. In Athens, traffic is a major issue. People often say they are 'leaving running' as a hyperbolic way to say they are trying to beat the traffic rush.
Master the Participle
Learn the '-οντας' ending well. It's the easiest part of Greek grammar because it never changes for gender or number!
Don't use for jogging
Remember, this is about the *act of leaving*, not the *sport of running*. Use 'κάνω τζόκινγκ' or 'τρέχω' for exercise.
Meaning
To depart very quickly.
Master the Participle
Learn the '-οντας' ending well. It's the easiest part of Greek grammar because it never changes for gender or number!
Don't use for jogging
Remember, this is about the *act of leaving*, not the *sport of running*. Use 'κάνω τζόκινγκ' or 'τρέχω' for exercise.
The 'Polite' Escape
In Greece, if you need to leave a social event early, always use this phrase with a smile. It makes your departure seem like an external necessity rather than a personal choice.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'φεύγω' and the participle 'τρέχοντας'.
Εγώ ______ ______ γιατί έχω ραντεβού.
The subject is 'Εγώ' (I), so the verb must be in the first person singular present tense.
Match the situation to the most likely use of 'φεύγω τρέχοντας'.
You are at a party and you suddenly realize you left your front door unlocked.
The urgency of an unlocked door requires a 'quick exit'.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a figurative sense?
A) Πηγαίνω στο γυμναστήριο και φεύγω τρέχοντας. B) Μόλις είδα τον λογαριασμό, έφυγα τρέχοντας!
Sentence B uses it to mean 'I left quickly because the bill was too high', which is a common figurative use. Sentence A implies exercise, which is better expressed with 'τρέχω'.
Complete the dialogue.
Μαρία: 'Θέλεις να πάμε για καφέ;' Κώστας: 'Δεν μπορώ, ______ ______ για τη δουλειά!'
The standard phrase is 'φεύγω τρέχοντας'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'Φεύγω Τρέχοντας'
Emergencies
- • Fire alarm
- • Hospital visit
- • Forgot the stove on
Social
- • Bad date
- • Boring party
- • Awkward encounter
Work/Study
- • Late for meeting
- • End of shift
- • Exam starting
Practice Bank
4 exercisesΕγώ ______ ______ γιατί έχω ραντεβού.
The subject is 'Εγώ' (I), so the verb must be in the first person singular present tense.
You are at a party and you suddenly realize you left your front door unlocked.
The urgency of an unlocked door requires a 'quick exit'.
A) Πηγαίνω στο γυμναστήριο και φεύγω τρέχοντας. B) Μόλις είδα τον λογαριασμό, έφυγα τρέχοντας!
Sentence B uses it to mean 'I left quickly because the bill was too high', which is a common figurative use. Sentence A implies exercise, which is better expressed with 'τρέχω'.
Μαρία: 'Θέλεις να πάμε για καφέ;' Κώστας: 'Δεν μπορώ, ______ ______ για τη δουλειά!'
The standard phrase is 'φεύγω τρέχοντας'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot necessarily. It depends on your tone. If said with a smile and a good reason (like being late), it's perfectly fine.
Yes! 'Έφυγα τρέχοντας' is very common when telling stories about past events.
There isn't a single idiom, but you could say 'φεύγω με το πάσο μου' (I leave at my own pace/slowly).
In this idiom, it means 'in a great hurry'. You could be in a car or a bus and still say you are 'leaving running'.
Yes, 'Έφυγε τρέχοντας από τη σχέση μας' implies they couldn't wait to get away.
Yes, but usually in informal talk between colleagues, not in a formal presentation.
You would say 'Τρέχω να προλάβω το λεωφορείο'.
Yes, 'τρέχοντας' is the adverbial participle (indeclinable), while 'τρέχοντα' is the adjectival participle (declined). Use '-οντας' for this idiom.
No, it's almost exclusively for people or animals.
Very! Many Greek songs about breakups or escaping the city use this phrase.
Related Phrases
γίνομαι καπνός
synonymTo vanish like smoke
την κοπανάω
synonymTo ditch/bolt
φεύγω σφαίρα
synonymTo leave like a bullet
αποχωρώ εσπευσμένα
formal equivalentTo depart urgently
τρέχω και δεν φτάνω
similarI'm running and not arriving
