δεν μπορώ να κάνω τίποτα

Translations

• to be completely helpless
• to be unable to do anything about it

Forms

Usage Notes

Always used with double negation (δεν...τίποτα). Can be used in any tense but most common in past and present.

Etymology

Literal construction that has become idiomatic through common usage

Cultural Context

Commonly used to express complete powerlessness in a situation

• Think of being tied up like Prometheus - completely unable to act
• Remember 'τίποτα' (nothing) emphasizes the complete inability