απλώς
Lemma: απλώς
Translation: simply; merely; just; only (adverb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek ἁπλῶς (haplōs), derived from ἁπλοῦς (haplous) meaning 'simple, single'. Related to English 'haplo-' prefix meaning single or simple
Mnemonics
- Think of 'hapless' in English - something simple and straightforward
- Remember 'απλώς' sounds like 'up close' - when you look at something up close, you see it simply
Cultural Context
Commonly used in everyday speech and writing, often to downplay or minimize the significance of something
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While both mean 'simply', 'απλώς' is considered more correct in formal contexts
Confused word:
Το είπα απλά.
I said it simply.
Notes: In everyday speech, many Greeks use these interchangeably
Mnemonic: 'απλώς' ends in -ως like many formal adverbs