μεταβεί
Wordform Details
Translation: go totravel toproceed to
Part of Speech: verb
Inflection Type:
third-personsingularaoristsubjunctiveIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: μεταβαίνω
Translation: to go; to move; to transfer; to proceed; to transition (verb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek μεταβαίνω (metabaínō), composed of the prefix μετα- (meta-, indicating change or transformation) and βαίνω (baínō, 'to walk, go'). The root βαίνω shares the same Indo-European root *gʷem- that gave English 'come' and 'base'. The prefix μετα- corresponds to English 'meta-', indicating change, transformation, or transcendence, as in 'metamorphosis' or 'metaphysics'.
Example Usage
Ο πρωθυπουργός θα μεταβεί στις Βρυξέλλες αύριο.
The prime minister will go to Brussels tomorrow.
Μεταβαίνουμε σε μια νέα εποχή τεχνολογίας.
We are transitioning to a new era of technology.
Η επιτροπή θα μεταβεί επιτόπου για να εξετάσει την κατάσταση.
The committee will proceed on-site to examine the situation.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'meta' (change) + 'baínō' (go) = 'change your location'
- Remember 'meta' as in metamorphosis (transformation) and 'bain' sounds like 'vain' in English - so 'transform where you go'
Synonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Used in more formal contexts, especially in official announcements, news reports, and formal writing. It has a somewhat elevated tone compared to the more common πηγαίνω (to go).
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While μεταβαίνω means 'to go/move oneself', μεταφέρω means 'to transfer/transport something or someone else'.
Confused word:
Θα μεταφέρω τα έγγραφα στο γραφείο του διευθυντή.
I will transfer the documents to the director's office.
Notes: Both verbs start with 'μετα-' (indicating change) but have different second components: βαίνω (to go) vs φέρω (to carry).
Mnemonic: μεταβαίνω = I go myself; μεταφέρω = I carry something
Explanation: While μεταβαίνω means 'to go from one place to another', παραβαίνω means 'to violate or break (a law, rule, etc.)'.
Notes: Both share the root βαίνω (to go) but with different prefixes that change the meaning significantly.
Mnemonic: μετα- (change location) vs παρα- (beside, beyond, against)