χάθηκε
Wordform Details
Translation: to get lostto disappearto perish
Part of Speech: verb
Inflection Type:
third-personsingularaoristpassiveIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: χάνομαι
Translation: to get lost; to be lost; to disappear; to perish; to be absorbed in; to be engrossed in (verb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek χάνω (kháno, "to gape, yawn") with the passive/middle suffix -ομαι. The semantic shift from "to gape" to "to be lost" reflects the idea of something falling into a gap or void and disappearing. The active form χάνω means "to lose" while χάνομαι is the passive/middle form meaning "to be lost" or "to lose oneself".
Example Usage
Χάθηκα στο δάσος.
I got lost in the forest.
Χάνομαι στις σκέψεις μου.
I get lost in my thoughts.
Χαθήκαμε τόσο καιρό.
We lost touch for so long.
Θα χαθώ αν πάω μόνος μου.
I'll get lost if I go by myself.
Χάθηκε στο πλήθος.
He disappeared in the crowd.
Χάθηκα στους δρόμους της Αθήνας.
I got lost in the streets of Athens.
Πού χάθηκες τόσο καιρό;
Where have you been all this time?
Το πλοίο χάθηκε στη θάλασσα.
The ship was lost at sea.
Χάθηκε η ευκαιρία.
The opportunity was lost.
Το κλειδί μου χάθηκε.
My key was lost.
Χάνομαι στη μουσική όταν ακούω αυτό το τραγούδι.
I get lost in the music when I listen to this song.
Πολλοί άνθρωποι χάθηκαν στον πόλεμο.
Many people perished in the war.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'chaos' (χάος in Greek) - when something is in chaos, it gets lost.
- The 'χα' sound at the beginning can remind you of a gasp when you realize you've lost something.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
The verb is commonly used in everyday Greek conversations, from giving directions to expressing emotional states. The phrase 'χάθηκα στις σκέψεις μου' (I got lost in my thoughts) is a common expression for daydreaming or deep contemplation.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: χάνω is the active form meaning 'to lose' (something), while χάνομαι is the passive/middle form meaning 'to get lost' or 'to be lost'.
Confused word:
Χάνω συχνά τα κλειδιά μου.
I often lose my keys.
Notes: The -ομαι ending indicates the passive or middle voice in Greek verbs.
Mnemonic: χάνω (active) = I lose something; χάνομαι (passive) = I am lost/I get lost
Explanation: While they sound similar, χαίρομαι means 'to be happy/to enjoy' while χάνομαι means 'to get lost'.
Confused word:
Χαίρομαι που σε βλέπω.
I'm happy to see you.
Notes: Both verbs end in -ομαι but have completely different meanings and contexts.
Mnemonic: χαίρομαι has 'αι' (like 'hi' in English) - you say 'hi' when you're happy to see someone.