αναθέτω
Lemma: αναθέτω
Translation: to assign; to entrust; to delegate; to commission; to charge with (verb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek ἀνατίθημι (anatíthēmi), composed of ἀνά (aná, 'up, upon') + τίθημι (títhēmi, 'to place, put'). The original meaning conveyed the idea of 'placing something upon' or 'setting up', which evolved to the modern sense of assigning responsibility or a task to someone. The root τίθημι is related to English words like 'thesis', 'theme', and 'thetic', all related to placing or positioning ideas.
Example Usage
Ο διευθυντής μού ανέθεσε ένα σημαντικό έργο.
The director assigned me an important project.
Σου αναθέτω την ευθύνη της οργάνωσης της εκδήλωσης.
I entrust you with the responsibility of organizing the event.
Η επιτροπή ανέθεσε την έρευνα σε εξωτερικούς συμβούλους.
The committee delegated the research to external consultants.
Μην αναθέτεις σημαντικές εργασίες σε άπειρους υπαλλήλους.
Don't assign important tasks to inexperienced employees.
Ποιος θα αναλάβει αν δεν αναθέσουμε το έργο σήμερα;
Who will take over if we don't assign the project today?
Mnemonics
- Think of 'ana' (up) + 'thesis' (placing) = 'placing up' or elevating a task to someone else's responsibility.
- Imagine 'ana-theto' as 'another task to' someone - you're giving another task to someone else.
- Connect with 'thesis' in English - just as a thesis is assigned to a student, 'αναθέτω' involves assigning tasks.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Commonly used in professional and administrative contexts in Greece, particularly in government, business, and education. The concept of formally assigning responsibilities is important in Greek organizational culture, where clear delegation of authority is valued.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'αναθέτω' means to assign or delegate, 'αναθεωρώ' means to revise or reconsider. They sound similar but have different meanings and uses.
This word:
Ο καθηγητής ανέθεσε μια εργασία στους φοιτητές.
The professor assigned a paper to the students.
Confused word:
Η κυβέρνηση αναθεώρησε την πολιτική της για το περιβάλλον.
The government revised its environmental policy.
Notes: Both verbs start with 'ανα-' but have different roots and meanings in modern usage.
Mnemonic: 'Αναθέτω' has 'θέτω' (to put/place) - you place responsibility on someone; 'αναθεωρώ' has 'θεωρώ' (to view/consider) - you view something again or reconsider it.
Explanation: 'Αναθέτω' means to assign something to someone else, while 'αναλαμβάνω' means to undertake or take on something yourself.
Notes: These verbs often appear in complementary contexts - one person 'αναθέτει' (assigns) while another 'αναλαμβάνει' (undertakes).
Mnemonic: Think of 'αναθέτω' as pushing responsibility away (to someone else), while 'αναλαμβάνω' is pulling responsibility toward yourself.