Significado
To remain neutral or physically apart.
Contexto cultural
In Greece, keeping distance is often seen as 'cold' (κρύος). If you do it without a clear reason, people might ask if they offended you. Despite the laws, Greek drivers are notorious for NOT keeping distance (tailgating). The phrase is often yelled by angry drivers. Greek media uses 'κρατάω αποστάσεις' constantly to describe parties trying to avoid being associated with unpopular policies. The pandemic forced a linguistic shift where 'κρατάω απόσταση' became a daily civic duty, appearing on every TV channel and shop window.
Use the Plural
Use 'κρατάω αποστάσεις' (plural) when talking about your general personality or political views. It sounds more natural and sophisticated.
Don't forget 'από'
Always use the preposition 'από' before the person or thing you are avoiding. Without it, the sentence is grammatically incomplete.
Significado
To remain neutral or physically apart.
Use the Plural
Use 'κρατάω αποστάσεις' (plural) when talking about your general personality or political views. It sounds more natural and sophisticated.
Don't forget 'από'
Always use the preposition 'από' before the person or thing you are avoiding. Without it, the sentence is grammatically incomplete.
The 'Safety' nuance
In driving, always add the word 'ασφαλείας' (of safety) to sound like a native: 'Κρατάω απόσταση ασφαλείας'.
Social Signal
Remember that in Greece, keeping distance is a strong signal. Use it carefully in friendships so you don't seem accidentally rude.
Teste-se
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'κρατάω' and the preposition.
Ο Γιάννης πάντα ________ απόσταση ________ τους ανθρώπους που δεν εμπιστεύεται.
The subject is 'Ο Γιάννης' (3rd person singular), so 'κρατάει'. The correct preposition is 'από'.
Which sentence uses the phrase figuratively?
Choose the correct sentence:
Sentence B refers to political neutrality, which is a figurative use. The others are physical.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You want to avoid a fight between two friends.
'Κρατάω απόσταση' is the standard way to say you are staying out of a conflict.
Complete the dialogue.
Α: Γιατί δεν μιλάς στη Μαρία; Β: ________.
Option A correctly uses the phrase to explain a social withdrawal.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Singular vs Plural
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosΟ Γιάννης πάντα ________ απόσταση ________ τους ανθρώπους που δεν εμπιστεύεται.
The subject is 'Ο Γιάννης' (3rd person singular), so 'κρατάει'. The correct preposition is 'από'.
Choose the correct sentence:
Sentence B refers to political neutrality, which is a figurative use. The others are physical.
Situation: You want to avoid a fight between two friends.
'Κρατάω απόσταση' is the standard way to say you are staying out of a conflict.
Α: Γιατί δεν μιλάς στη Μαρία; Β: ________.
Option A correctly uses the phrase to explain a social withdrawal.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, 'κρατάω απόσταση' is only for space or social involvement. For time, use 'παίρνω χρόνο' (take time).
'Κρατάω' is more common in speech, while 'κρατώ' is more formal and common in writing.
Yes, but 'stay away' is often 'μένω μακριά'. 'Κρατάω απόσταση' implies maintaining a specific gap.
Yes, it's very common to say 'Κρατάμε απόσταση' to mean you aren't talking to an ex.
It can be, depending on the tone. It's a neutral description of an action, but the action itself can be seen as cold in Greece.
The opposite is 'πλησιάζω' (to approach) or 'κλείνω την απόσταση' (to close the gap).
Use 'Κράτα απόσταση!' (singular/informal) or 'Κρατάτε απόσταση!' (plural/formal).
Yes, like 'Κράτα απόσταση από το γκρεμό' (Keep distance from the cliff).
A slangy way to say it is 'ρίχνω άκυρο' (to give a cancel/ignore) or 'δεν δίνω δικαιώματα'.
Because it involves a common verb used in a figurative, non-literal way which requires cultural context.
Frases relacionadas
κρατάω τα προσχήματα
similarTo keep up appearances
παίρνω αποστάσεις
builds onTo take/create distance
κρατάω μακριά
similarTo keep away
μένω αμέτοχος
synonymTo remain uninvolved
κλείνω την απόσταση
contrastTo close the gap
