έκαψα
Wordform Details
Translation: burnedsacrificed by burning
Part of Speech: verb
Inflection Type:
first-personsingularaoristactiveIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: καίω
Translation: they burn; they are burning (verb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek καίω (kaíō), which meant 'to burn, kindle'. This verb has deep Indo-European roots related to heat and burning. The English word 'caustic' (something that burns or corrodes) derives from the same Proto-Indo-European root. The concept of burning has remained remarkably stable in this word from ancient to modern Greek.
Example Usage
Το φαγητό καίει.
The food is burning.
Με καίει ο ήλιος.
The sun is burning me.
Καίγομαι από πυρετό.
I'm burning with fever.
Ο ήλιος καίει σήμερα.
The sun is burning today.
Έκαψα το φαγητό.
I burned the food.
Με καίει αυτό το θέμα.
This issue is urgent to me (lit: This issue burns me).
Καίγομαι να μάθω τα νέα.
I'm desperate to learn the news.
Το δάσος κάηκε από την πυρκαγιά.
The forest was burned by the fire.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'caustic' in English, which means something that burns or corrodes.
- The 'καί' sound is like 'cry' - imagine crying because something is burning you.
- Associate with 'καυτός' (hot) which shares the same root.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In Greek culture, the concept of burning has both literal and metaphorical significance. It appears in many expressions related to urgency, desire, and destruction. During summer, forest fires (πυρκαγιές) are a serious concern in Greece, making the verb 'καίω' particularly relevant in news and everyday conversation during hot seasons.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'καίω' means 'to burn', 'κλαίω' means 'to cry' or 'to weep'. They sound similar but have completely different meanings.
Confused word:
Κλαίω από τη συγκίνηση.
I cry from emotion.
Notes: These verbs are sometimes confused by beginners due to their similar pronunciation, especially in some dialects.
Mnemonic: 'Καίω' starts with 'κα' like 'καυτός' (hot), while 'κλαίω' starts with 'κλα' which sounds like 'cry'.
Explanation: 'Καίω' means 'to burn' while 'καλώ' means 'to call' or 'to invite'. They differ by just one letter but have entirely different meanings.
Notes: The letter 'λ' in 'καλώ' versus 'ι' in 'καίω' makes all the difference in meaning.
Mnemonic: Think of 'καλώ' as related to 'call' in English, while 'καίω' relates to 'caustic'.