ασφαλή
Wordform Details
Translation: safesecureprotected
Part of Speech: adjective
Inflection Type:
femininesingularaccusativeIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: ασφαλής
Translation: safe; secure; certain; sure (adjective)
Etymology: From ancient Greek ἀσφαλής (asphalēs), composed of the privative prefix ἀ- (a-) meaning 'not' and σφάλλω (sphallō) meaning 'to cause to fall, to trip up, to deceive'. The original meaning was 'not liable to fall or fail'. This root is related to English 'asphalt' (originally meaning a secure, non-slip substance) and appears in medical terms like 'asphyxia'. The semantic development from 'not falling' to 'safe' reflects the fundamental human association between stability and security.
Mnemonics
- Think 'asphalt' - a safe, non-slip road surface
- Remember 'a-' (not) + 'fall' = not falling = safe
- Sounds like 'as-fall-is' but means the opposite - not falling
Synonyms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Widely used in everyday Greek to describe physical safety, emotional security, and certainty. Common in official contexts like traffic safety campaigns, insurance documents, and workplace safety regulations. Greeks often use this word when discussing family security and financial stability, reflecting cultural values around protection and certainty.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: ασφαλής is the adjective meaning 'safe', while ασφάλεια is the noun meaning 'safety' or 'insurance'
Confused word:
Η ασφάλεια είναι σημαντική.
Safety is important.
Notes: Both words share the same root but different grammatical functions
Mnemonic: ασφαλής ends in -ής like other adjectives (καλός-ή-ό), ασφάλεια ends in -εια like other nouns