Significado
To support someone in a conflict.
Contexto cultural
In Greek family culture, 'taking sides' is often expected. If a husband doesn't take his wife's side in an argument with his mother, it is seen as a major betrayal. The phrase is heavily used in political commentary. Greece has a history of 'dichasmos' (division), and people are often pressured to take a side (parataxi). In Cyprus, the phrase is used similarly, but you might hear local dialect variations in the verb 'παίρνω' (e.g., 'πιάνω'). Among Greek-Americans or Greek-Australians, this phrase is often one of the few idioms preserved, though it might be mixed with English: 'Don't take his mero!'.
The 'TO' is Vital
If you say 'παίρνω μέρος' (without 'το'), you are saying 'I participate'. If you say 'παίρνω το μέρος', you are saying 'I take the side'. This is the most common mistake for B1 learners!
Use with Genitive
Always remember that the person you support must be in the genitive case (του, της, των). Practice saying 'το μέρος του' and 'το μέρος της' until it feels natural.
Significado
To support someone in a conflict.
The 'TO' is Vital
If you say 'παίρνω μέρος' (without 'το'), you are saying 'I participate'. If you say 'παίρνω το μέρος', you are saying 'I take the side'. This is the most common mistake for B1 learners!
Use with Genitive
Always remember that the person you support must be in the genitive case (του, της, των). Practice saying 'το μέρος του' and 'το μέρος της' until it feels natural.
Loyalty over Logic
In Greece, taking someone's side is a huge sign of friendship. Even if your friend is wrong, taking their side in public and correcting them in private is a common social strategy.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing words to complete the phrase.
Δεν θέλω να ______ το ______ σου, γιατί έχεις άδικο.
The standard idiom is 'παίρνω το μέρος'.
Which sentence correctly uses the phrase in the past tense?
Choose the correct sentence:
We use the Aorist 'πήρε' and the genitive 'της Μαρίας'.
Match the response to the situation.
Your friend is being bullied and you want to support them.
You are speaking directly to the friend, so you use 'σου'.
Complete the dialogue.
Α: Γιατί είσαι θυμωμένος με τον Κώστα; Β: Γιατί στον καβγά με το αφεντικό, ________________.
The context implies Kostas took the boss's side, which is why the speaker is angry.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosΔεν θέλω να ______ το ______ σου, γιατί έχεις άδικο.
The standard idiom is 'παίρνω το μέρος'.
Choose the correct sentence:
We use the Aorist 'πήρε' and the genitive 'της Μαρίας'.
Your friend is being bullied and you want to support them.
You are speaking directly to the friend, so you use 'σου'.
Α: Γιατί είσαι θυμωμένος με τον Κώστα; Β: Γιατί στον καβγά με το αφεντικό, ________________.
The context implies Kostas took the boss's side, which is why the speaker is angry.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
4 perguntasYes, but it's usually used when the team is being criticized or is in a conflict with a referee or another team. For general support, use 'υποστηρίζω'.
It can be seen as a lack of loyalty among close friends or family. It's softer to say 'Προσπαθώ να είμαι αντικειμενικός' (I'm trying to be objective).
There isn't a single opposite idiom, but you could say 'είμαι εναντίον κάποιου' (I am against someone) or 'πάω κόντρα σε κάποιον' (I go against someone).
You would say 'παίρνω το μέρος του εαυτού μου', but it's more natural to say 'κοιτάζω το συμφέρον μου' (I look out for my interest).
Frases relacionadas
παίρνω μέρος
confusingTo participate in something.
υποστηρίζω
synonymTo support.
τάσσομαι υπέρ
formalTo range oneself in favor of.
είμαι με το μέρος κάποιου
similarTo be on someone's side.
