προλαβαίνω
Lemma: προλαβαίνω
Translation: to catch; to be in time for; to manage to do; to have time to; to anticipate; to prevent (verb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek προλαμβάνω (prolambanō), composed of πρό (pro, 'before') + λαμβάνω (lambanō, 'to take'). The core meaning is 'to take beforehand' or 'to get ahead of something'. This connects to English 'prologue' (speaking before) and 'proactive' (acting before). The verb evolved to express temporal urgency - literally 'grasping something before it escapes' - which explains its modern meanings of catching buses, having time for activities, or preventing events.
Example Usage
Δεν προλαβαίνω το λεωφορείο.
I won't make it in time for the bus.
Πρόλαβες να φας;
Did you manage to eat?
Δεν προλαβαίνω να φάω πριν τη δουλειά.
I don't have time to eat before work.
Προλάβαμε το τρένο την τελευταία στιγμή.
We caught the train at the last moment.
Θα προλάβεις να έρθεις στο πάρτι;
Will you manage to come to the party (in time)?
Δεν προλαβαίνω τίποτα σήμερα.
I don't have time for anything today.
Προλάβαμε την ταινία παρόλο που φύγαμε αργά.
We made it in time for the movie despite leaving late.
Αν φύγεις τώρα, θα προλάβεις το τρένο.
If you leave now, you'll catch the train.
Δεν προλαβαίνω να τελειώσω την εργασία μέχρι αύριο.
I don't have time to finish the assignment by tomorrow.
Θα προλάβεις να τελειώσεις την εργασία μέχρι αύριο;
Will you have time to finish the assignment by tomorrow?
Δεν προλαβαίνω να φάω, πρέπει να φύγω.
I don't have time to eat, I have to leave.
Πρόλαβα το λεωφορείο.
I caught the bus.
Δεν προλαβαίνω να τελειώσω τη δουλειά.
I don't have time to finish the work.
Προλάβαμε την ταινία στην ώρα της.
We made it to the movie on time.
Mnemonics
- Think 'PRO-active LAB work' - being proactive in the lab to catch results before they're lost
- PRO-LAB-AINO: 'Pro' (before) + 'lab' (take/catch) = catch before it's too late
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Very commonly used in Greek daily life, especially regarding transportation schedules, appointments, and time management. Greeks often use this verb when discussing whether they'll catch buses, trains, or make it to social gatherings on time.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: προλαβαίνω means to catch or be in time for something, while προβλέπω means to foresee or predict future events
Confused word:
Προβλέπω βροχή αύριο.
I predict rain tomorrow.
Notes: Both start with προ- but have completely different meanings and uses
Mnemonic: προλαβαίνω has 'λαβ' (take/catch) - you catch things; προβλέπω has 'βλέπ' (see) - you see the future