αρπάζω
Lemma: αρπάζω
Translation: to snatch; to grab; to seize; to catch; to kidnap; to abduct (verb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek ἁρπάζω (harpázō), meaning 'to seize, snatch away, carry off'. This root is related to English words like 'harpoon' and 'harpy' (the mythological creature that would snatch things away). The Indo-European root *serp- conveys the idea of taking by force.
Example Usage
Άρπαξε την τσάντα μου και έφυγε τρέχοντας.
He snatched my bag and ran away.
Πρέπει να αρπάξεις την ευκαιρία όταν παρουσιαστεί.
You must seize the opportunity when it presents itself.
Το αρπακτικό άρπαξε το μικρό πουλί με τα νύχια του.
The predator caught the small bird with its claws.
Μην αρπάζεις το φαγητό από το πιάτο των άλλων.
Don't grab food from other people's plates.
Ο αέρας άρπαξε το καπέλο μου.
The wind snatched my hat.
Άρπαξε την τσάντα της και έφυγε τρέχοντας.
He grabbed her bag and ran away.
Ο αετός άρπαξε το ψάρι από τη λίμνη.
The eagle caught the fish from the lake.
Ο κλέφτης άρπαξε την τσάντα της και έφυγε τρέχοντας.
The thief snatched her bag and ran away.
Άρπαξε το παιδί από το χέρι για να μην πέσει.
She grabbed the child by the hand so they wouldn't fall.
Με άρπαξε η βροχή στο δρόμο.
I got caught in the rain on the way.
Άρπαξε φωτιά το σπίτι.
The house caught fire.
Mnemonics
- Think of a 'harpoon' which is used to 'snatch' fish from the water.
- The 'αρπ-' sound is similar to the English word 'harp', imagine someone quickly 'snatching' a harp.
Cultural Context
The verb is used in many Greek expressions and idioms related to taking something quickly or by force. It's also used in contexts of being caught by surprise or being seized by emotion.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'αρπάζω' means 'to snatch/grab', 'αράζω' means 'to hang out/relax/dock'.
Notes: The two verbs sound similar but have completely different meanings and contexts of use.
Mnemonic: 'Αρπάζω' has a 'π' (p) which can remind you of 'pinch' or 'pick' - actions related to grabbing.
Explanation: This is the passive/middle voice form of 'αρπάζω'. While 'αρπάζω' is active (I grab), 'αρπάζομαι' means 'to be grabbed' or 'to grab oneself' (reflexive).
Confused word:
Αρπάχτηκε από το κάγκελο για να μην πέσει.
He grabbed onto the railing to avoid falling.
Notes: The passive form is often used in expressions about being caught by surprise.
Mnemonic: The '-ομαι' ending indicates something happening to you rather than you doing it.