μεταφέρει
Wordform Details
Translation: to transferto transportto carry
Part of Speech: verb
Inflection Type:
third-personsingularpresentIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: μεταφέρω
Translation: to transfer; to transport; to carry; to move; to convey; to transmit (verb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek μεταφέρω, composed of μετά (meta-, meaning 'beyond, across, after') + φέρω (phero, meaning 'to carry, bear'). The prefix 'meta-' is familiar to English speakers from words like 'metaphor' (literally 'carrying across' meaning), 'metabolism' (change-throwing), and 'metamorphosis' (form-changing). The root φέρω is cognate with Latin 'ferre' (to bear), which gives English words like 'transfer', 'confer', 'defer', and 'fertile'. Interestingly, μεταφέρω itself gave rise to the word 'metaphor' through Latin metaphora, making this verb the literal source of one of literature's most important concepts.
Mnemonics
- Think 'metaphor' - carrying meaning across languages, just as μεταφέρω carries things across space
- META-ferry: carrying things across like a ferry boat
- Remember 'transfer' has the same Latin root as the φέρω part
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Commonly used in both everyday contexts (moving house, carrying objects) and formal/technical contexts (data transfer, transportation systems). Often appears in news reports about refugee movements or goods transportation.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: μεταφέρω means to physically or digitally transfer/transport, while μεταφράζω means to translate language
Notes: Both involve 'carrying across' but μεταφέρω is physical/digital movement while μεταφράζω is linguistic conversion
Mnemonic: μεταφέρω = carry across space, μεταφράζω = carry across languages (φράζω relates to phrases/speech)