Learn Greek › C1 › παριστάνω
παριστάνω
to pretend to be, to act like /pa.ɾiˈsta.no/
verbC1#3484 most common
Also: to depict, to portray (in art or theater), to play the part of
Example sentences
Παριστάνει τον άρρωστο.
He is pretending to be sick.
Μην παριστάνεις τον έξυπνο.
Don't act like a know-it-all.
Ο πίνακας παριστάνει ένα ηλιοβασίλεμα στη θάλασσα.
The painting depicts a sunset over the sea.
Παριστάνει την αδιάφορη, αλλά καταλαβαίνω ότι νοιάζεται.
She acts indifferent, but I can tell she cares.
Παρίστανε τον ειδικό σε θέματα οικονομίας, αν και δεν είχε καμία σχετική μόρφωση.
He played the expert on economic matters, even though he had no relevant education.
Αν συνεχίσεις να παριστάνεις κάποιον που δεν είσαι, κάποια στιγμή θα χάσεις την ταυτότητά σου.
If you keep pretending to be someone you're not, at some point you will lose your identity.
Conjugation
| Present Active | Simple Past Active | Simple Future Active | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1sg | παριστάνω | παράστησα | θα παραστήσω |
| 2sg | παριστάνεις | παράστησες | θα παραστήσεις |
| 3sg | παριστάνει | παράστησε | θα παραστήσει |
| 1pl | παριστάνουμε | παραστήσαμε | θα παραστήσουμε |
| 2pl | παριστάνετε | παραστήσατε | θα παραστήσετε |
| 3pl | παριστάνουν | παράστησαν | θα παραστήσουν |
Word family
παράστασηperformance, theatrical show, representation
παρίσταμαιto be present, to attend
παραστάτηςassistant, supporter (legal or military)
παραστατικόςvivid, descriptive; also used as a noun for an invoice or receipt
Etymology
παριστάνω is a modern reshaping of the ancient verb παρίστημι, built from the prefix παρα- (beside, alongside) and ίστημι (to stand). The old sense was literal: to place or stand something beside someone, hence to present it. Over time this shifted from physical presentation to figurative presentation, meaning to present oneself as something, and eventually to pretend to be that thing.
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