κλαίγοντας
Wordform Details
Translation: cryingweeping
Part of Speech: participle
Inflection Type:
presentactiveparticipleIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: κλαίω
Translation: to cry; to weep; to shed tears (verb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek κλαίω (klaíō), meaning 'to weep, cry, lament'. This verb has maintained its core meaning across millennia. The root is related to Latin 'clamor' (outcry, shout) and possibly connected to the Proto-Indo-European root *kel- meaning 'to shout'. While English doesn't have a direct cognate, the connection to 'clamor' helps remember the vocal aspect of crying. The word has remained remarkably stable in Greek, making it one of the most enduring emotional expressions in the language.
Example Usage
Το μωρό κλαίει όλη νύχτα.
The baby cries all night.
Έκλαψα όταν είδα αυτή την ταινία.
I cried when I watched this movie.
Μην κλαις, όλα θα πάνε καλά.
Don't cry, everything will be fine.
Έκλαιγε με λυγμούς στην κηδεία.
She was sobbing at the funeral.
Το παιδί κλαίει επειδή έπεσε.
The child is crying because he fell.
Έκλαψε όταν άκουσε τα νέα.
She cried when she heard the news.
Έκλαιγε με λυγμούς.
She was sobbing (crying with sobs).
Το μωρό κλαίει.
The baby is crying.
Μη κλαις, όλα θα πάνε καλά.
Don't cry, everything will be fine.
Mnemonics
- Think 'cry' sounds like 'klaío' - both start with hard sounds
- Remember 'clamor' (loud outcry) - crying can be clamorous
Cultural Context
Crying is viewed naturally in Greek culture as an emotional expression. The verb is commonly used in everyday speech, literature, and songs. Greeks are generally more expressive with emotions compared to some Northern European cultures, so this verb appears frequently in casual conversation.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: κλαίω (to cry) vs καλώ (to call/invite) - similar spelling but completely different meanings and pronunciations
Confused word:
Θα σε καλέσω αύριο.
I will call you tomorrow.
Notes: The pronunciation is quite different - κλαίω has a diphthong 'αι' while καλώ has a simple 'α'
Mnemonic: κλαίω has the 'λαι' sound like 'lie down and cry', καλώ is shorter like a quick 'call'