παρέχω
Lemma: παρέχω
Translation: to provide; to offer; to supply; to give; to furnish; to render (verb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek παρέχω (parékhō), composed of παρά (pará) meaning 'beside, alongside' and ἔχω (ékhō) meaning 'to have, to hold'. The compound literally means 'to hold forth' or 'to present something from one's possession'. This etymology helps explain why παρέχω implies actively offering or making available something you possess or control, rather than simply giving. The prefix παρά- appears in English words like 'parallel' and 'paragraph', while ἔχω is related to the English suffix '-ectic' in words like 'hectic' (originally meaning 'habitual').
Example Usage
Η εταιρεία παρέχει ασφάλιση υγείας στους υπαλλήλους.
The company provides health insurance to its employees.
Το ξενοδοχείο παρέχει δωρεάν Wi-Fi.
The hotel offers free Wi-Fi.
Παρέχω βοήθεια όποτε χρειάζεται.
I provide help whenever it's needed.
Η εταιρεία παρέχει ασφάλεια υγείας.
The company provides health insurance.
Παρέχουμε υποστήριξη 24 ώρες.
We provide 24-hour support.
Mnemonics
- Think 'para-echo' - you echo (provide back) something alongside (para) what someone needs
- Remember 'provide' starts with 'p' like 'παρέχω'
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Commonly used in business, administrative, and service contexts. Often appears in formal documents, contracts, and official communications when describing services, benefits, or resources being made available.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While both mean 'to offer/provide', προσφέρω often implies a more voluntary, generous gesture, while παρέχω is more neutral and systematic, often used for services or formal provisions.
Confused word:
Προσφέρω τη βοήθειά μου.
I offer my help.
Notes: παρέχω is more common in business and institutional contexts, while προσφέρω is more personal and voluntary
Mnemonic: παρέχω is for systematic Provision (both start with P), προσφέρω is for generous Offerings