κριτικός
Wordform Details
Translation: judgmentalcriticalcensorious
Part of Speech: adjective
Inflection Type:
masculinesingularnominativeIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: κριτικός
Translation: critical; crucial; decisive; censorious; fault-finding (adjective)
Etymology: From ancient Greek κριτικός (kritikos), derived from κρίνω (krino) meaning 'to judge, decide, separate'. The root is related to English 'critic', 'critical', 'criterion', and 'crisis' - all sharing the fundamental concept of judgment and decision-making. The word entered English through Latin criticus. The Greek root κρι- appears in many English words related to judgment and discernment, making this a particularly accessible word for English speakers to recognize and remember.
Example Usage
Αυτή είναι μια κριτική στιγμή για την εταιρεία.
This is a critical moment for the company.
Έκανε κριτικές παρατηρήσεις για το έργο.
He made critical observations about the work.
Ο δάσκαλος ήταν πολύ κριτικός με την εργασία μου.
The teacher was very critical of my work.
Η κριτική του σκέψη τον βοήθησε να λύσει το πρόβλημα.
His critical thinking helped him solve the problem.
Mnemonics
- Think 'critic' - someone who makes critical judgments
- Remember 'crisis' - a critical moment requiring judgment
Synonyms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Widely used in academic, journalistic, and everyday contexts. Greeks often use this word when discussing important decisions, analyzing situations, or expressing disapproval. Common in media criticism and political discourse.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: Both mean 'critical' but κρίσιμος emphasizes urgency and danger, while κριτικός emphasizes judgment and analysis
Notes: κρίσιμος is more about emergency situations, κριτικός is more about judgment and evaluation
Mnemonic: κρίσιμος = crisis (urgent), κριτικός = critic (analytical)