βασανίζω
Lemma: βασανίζω
Translation: torture; torment; trouble (verb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek βάσανος (básanos, 'touchstone'), originally used to test gold for purity, later metaphorically extended to mean 'test by torture' and then simply 'torture'
Mnemonics
- Think of 'basin' (βάσανος) as a container of troubles
- Sounds like 'bazaar-needs' - shopping can be torturous!
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Often used metaphorically in modern Greek to describe mental anguish or persistent worry, rather than physical torture
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While βασανίζω means to torture/torment, βαριέμαι means to be bored
Confused word:
Βαριέμαι στη δουλειά.
I'm bored at work.
Notes: Both can describe negative mental states but with different intensities
Mnemonic: βασανίζω has 'san' (like 'pain') while βαριέμαι has 'βαρ' (heavy/weighty feeling of boredom)