المعنى
Signs of hope in a difficult situation.
خلفية ثقافية
During the debt crisis (2010-2018), the phrase became a cliché in political speeches. This led to many satirical cartoons showing a train coming from the other side of the tunnel, representing more trouble instead of hope. Aggeliki Nikolouli's show 'Fos sto Tounel' is so famous that the phrase is often associated with solving mysteries or finding missing people. If someone says 'θα πάρω την Νικολούλη' (I'll call Nikolouli), they are joking about a mystery. In Cyprus, the phrase is frequently used in the context of the 'Cyprus Problem' (the political division of the island). Every time there is a new round of talks, newspapers headline 'Φως στο τούνελ για το Κυπριακό;'. Greek immigrants in countries like Australia or Germany often use this phrase when discussing their initial struggles to integrate and the moment they finally felt 'at home' or financially stable.
Use with 'Επιτέλους'
The word 'επιτέλους' (finally) is the best friend of this idiom. It adds the necessary emotional weight of relief.
Avoid Overuse
Because it was a political cliché, using it too much in a serious essay might make your writing seem unoriginal. Use 'αχτίδα ελπίδας' for variety.
المعنى
Signs of hope in a difficult situation.
Use with 'Επιτέλους'
The word 'επιτέλους' (finally) is the best friend of this idiom. It adds the necessary emotional weight of relief.
Avoid Overuse
Because it was a political cliché, using it too much in a serious essay might make your writing seem unoriginal. Use 'αχτίδα ελπίδας' for variety.
The 'Nikolouli' Reference
If you are in Greece and a mystery is solved, saying 'Φως στο τούνελ!' with a smile is a great way to show you understand Greek pop culture.
اختبر نفسك
Συμπληρώστε το ρήμα που λείπει στην κατάλληλη μορφή.
Μετά από δέκα ώρες χειρουργείο, οι γιατροί επιτέλους _______ φως στο τούνελ.
The verb 'βλέπω' (to see) is the standard verb used with this idiom. In the past tense for 'they', it is 'είδαν'.
Ποια είναι η σωστή σημασία της φράσης;
«Υπάρχει φως στο τούνελ για την οικονομία.»
The idiom refers to signs of hope or the end of a difficult period.
Ταιριάξτε τη φράση με την κατάλληλη κατάσταση.
Πότε θα λέγατε «Βλέπω φως στο τούνελ»;
The idiom requires a prior period of difficulty (unemployment) followed by a sign of hope (interviews).
Συμπληρώστε τον διάλογο.
Α: Πώς πάει το γράψιμο της διπλωματικής σου; Β: Δύσκολα, αλλά έγραψα το συμπέρασμα, οπότε...
Writing the conclusion is a sign that the long task is ending, making the idiom appropriate.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينΜετά από δέκα ώρες χειρουργείο, οι γιατροί επιτέλους _______ φως στο τούνελ.
The verb 'βλέπω' (to see) is the standard verb used with this idiom. In the past tense for 'they', it is 'είδαν'.
«Υπάρχει φως στο τούνελ για την οικονομία.»
The idiom refers to signs of hope or the end of a difficult period.
Πότε θα λέγατε «Βλέπω φως στο τούνελ»;
The idiom requires a prior period of difficulty (unemployment) followed by a sign of hope (interviews).
Α: Πώς πάει το γράψιμο της διπλωματικής σου; Β: Δύσκολα, αλλά έγραψα το συμπέρασμα, οπότε...
Writing the conclusion is a sign that the long task is ending, making the idiom appropriate.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt can be both! As a statement, it means hope exists. As a question, it expresses doubt about whether things will ever get better.
No, that would mean 'light on the road,' which is literal. The idiom requires the 'tunnel' to represent the struggle.
Not at all. It's very common in casual talk, especially when complaining about work or school.
Greek borrowed 'τούνελ' because it's a modern engineering term. The ancient Greek word would be 'σήραγγα', but that's too formal for this idiom.
No, it's for the end of a *difficult* period, not just any waiting period.
You could say 'σκοτάδι στο βάθος' (darkness in the depths) or simply 'δεν υπάρχει ελπίδα'.
Both are correct. 'Φως στο τούνελ' is shorter and more common in speech.
Yes, to describe how you solved a difficult problem in your previous job.
No, it is purely secular and related to modern life/infrastructure.
Yes! 'Μετά από δύο εβδομάδες δίαιτα, βλέπω φως στο τούνελ, έχασα δύο κιλά.'
عبارات ذات صلة
η ελπίδα πεθαίνει τελευταία
similarHope dies last.
κάθε εμπόδιο για καλό
similarEvery obstacle is for the best.
μαύρα σκοτάδια
contrastPitch black / No clue.
ρίχνω φως
builds onTo shed light on something.
