Learn Greek › B2 › καρφί
καρφί
nail /karˈfi/
nounB2#2187 most common
Also: tack, snitch / informer (slang)
Example sentences
Το καρφί είναι πάνω στο τραπέζι.
The nail is on the table.
Χτύπησα ένα καρφί στον τοίχο.
I hammered a nail into the wall.
Πρόσεξε, υπάρχει ένα σκουριασμένο καρφί στο πάτωμα.
Be careful, there's a rusty nail on the floor.
Δεν δίνω καρφί για ό,τι λένε.
I don't give a damn about what they say.
Ο μαραγκός μάζεψε τα καρφιά που είχαν πέσει από το κουτί.
The carpenter picked up the nails that had fallen out of the box.
Στη γειτονιά τον θεωρούσαν καρφί, γιατί κάρφωνε τους πάντες στην αστυνομία.
In the neighborhood they considered him a snitch, because he ratted everyone out to the police.
Declension
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | το καρφί | τα καρφιά |
| Genitive | του καρφιού | των καρφιών |
| Accusative | το καρφί | τα καρφιά |
| Vocative | καρφί | καρφιά |
Word family
καρφώνωto nail, to pin, to pierce
καρφίτσαpin, brooch
καρφωτόςnailed on, fixed in place
ξεκαρφώνωto unnail, to come loose
καρφάκιlittle nail, tack (diminutive)
Etymology
Καρφί comes from Ancient Greek κάρφος, a dry twig, chip, or splinter, the same word used in the New Testament for the mote in someone's eye. Over time the sense narrowed to a small pointed piece of metal, a nail or tack. The verb καρφώνω, to nail or pin down, kept the same root and later produced the slang use of καρφί for an informer, someone who pins the blame on another person.
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