χαλασμένο
Wordform Details
Translation: brokendamagedspoiledruined
Part of Speech: adjective
Inflection Type:
neutersingularnominative/accusativeIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: χαλασμένος
Translation: broken; damaged; spoiled; ruined; out of order; corrupted (adjective)
Etymology: Derived from the verb χαλάω (to destroy, to ruin, to break), which comes from ancient Greek χαλάω meaning 'to loosen, slacken, relax'. The participle form χαλασμένος literally means 'having been broken/damaged'. The root is related to the concept of loosening or undoing structural integrity, which connects to the English word 'chalaza' (a spiral band in an egg) through the same Greek root meaning 'to slacken'.
Mnemonics
- Think 'chaos-mένος' - when something is chaotic, it's broken or ruined
- Remember 'chal-' sounds like 'shall' - 'it shall be broken'
Synonyms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Commonly used in everyday Greek to describe anything from broken appliances to spoiled food to corrupted people or situations. Often used with a sense of disappointment or frustration.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: Both mean 'broken' but σπασμένος specifically refers to physical breaking/shattering, while χαλασμένος has broader meaning including spoilage, malfunction, or corruption
Confused word:
Το ποτήρι είναι σπασμένο.
The glass is broken (shattered).
Notes: Use σπασμένος for things that are physically cracked or shattered, χαλασμένος for things that don't work properly or are spoiled
Mnemonic: Σπασμένος = smashed/shattered (physical), χαλασμένος = chaos (general dysfunction)