καταβάλλω
Wordform Details
Translation: to throw downto payto deposit
Part of Speech: verb
Inflection Type:
first-personsingularpresentactiveIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: καταβάλλω
Translation: to throw down; to pay; to deposit (verb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek κατά (down, against) + βάλλω (to throw). The root βάλλω gives us English 'ballistic', 'ball', 'ballet'. The compound literally means 'to throw down' but evolved to mean 'to pay down' (deposit money) and then simply 'to pay'. The physical sense of throwing down remains in meanings like 'overthrow' and 'defeat'.
Mnemonics
- Think 'cata-ball' - throwing something down (like money on a counter)
- Kata (down) + ballō (throw) = throw down payment
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Commonly used in financial and legal contexts, particularly for official payments and deposits. Also frequently used metaphorically in phrases about effort and exhaustion.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While similar in form, καταλαβαίνω means 'to understand' while καταβάλλω means 'to pay/deposit'
Confused word:
Καταλαβαίνω τι εννοείς.
I understand what you mean.
Notes: Both are compound verbs with κατα- prefix but different roots
Mnemonic: καταβάλλω has 'ball' (throw down payment) while καταλαβαίνω has 'lab' (learn/understand)