χρήμα
Lemma: χρήμα
Translation: money; cash; funds; currency (noun)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek χρῆμα (khrêma), which originally meant 'something useful' or 'a thing that one needs or uses'. It derives from the verb χράομαι (khráomai) meaning 'to use, to need'. The semantic shift from 'useful thing' to 'money' reflects how currency became the most useful commodity for exchange. The same root gives us English words like 'chrematistic' (relating to money-making) and is distantly related to 'chrestomathy' (a collection of useful learning texts).
Example Usage
Δεν έχω αρκετά χρήματα για διακοπές φέτος.
I don't have enough money for vacation this year.
Το χρήμα δεν αγοράζει την ευτυχία.
Money can't buy happiness.
Χρειάζομαι λίγα χρήματα για να πληρώσω το λογαριασμό.
I need some money to pay the bill.
Επένδυσε τα χρήματά του σε ακίνητα.
He invested his money in real estate.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'cream' (sounds a bit like χρήμα) as something rich and valuable, like money.
- Connect it to 'chrematistic' in English (relating to money or wealth) which comes from the same Greek root.
- The 'χρη' sound at the beginning can remind you of 'credit' which is related to money.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Money and discussions about it are generally less taboo in Greek culture than in some other European cultures. Greeks often discuss salaries and costs more openly. The economic crisis that began in 2009 made 'χρήμα' an even more central topic in daily conversation, with phrases about lack of money becoming common in everyday speech.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'χρήμα' means 'money', 'χρώμα' means 'color'. They look and sound similar but have completely different meanings.
This word:
Χρειάζομαι περισσότερα χρήματα για να αγοράσω ένα αυτοκίνητο.
I need more money to buy a car.
Notes: The stress falls on the first syllable in both words, making them sound even more similar in casual speech.
Mnemonic: Remember: χρήμα has 'η' (eta) and is about money; χρώμα has 'ω' (omega) and is about color.
Explanation: 'Χρήμα' is money you have, while 'χρέος' is money you owe (debt).
Notes: Both words come from the same ancient Greek root related to use and necessity.
Mnemonic: Think of 'χρέος' as the 'chaos' that comes from having too much debt, while 'χρήμα' is the money that can solve that chaos.