καταλαβαίνω

Greek phrasebook

This entry is part of the phrasebook project, which presents criteria for inclusion based on utility, simplicity and commonness. For other Greek entries on this topic, see Basic.

Inherited from the mediaeval Byzantine Greek καταλαβαίνω (katalabaínō), from Ancient Greek καταλαμβάνω (katalambánō) with metaplasm according to λαμβάνω (lambánō) > λαβαίνω (lavaíno).^[1] Morphologically, κατα- (kata-) +‎ λαβαίνω (lavaíno, “receive”). Doublet of καταλαμβάνω (katalamváno).

• IPA^(key): /ka.ta.laˈve.no/
• Hyphenation: κα‧τα‧λα‧βαί‧νω

καταλαβαίνω • (katalavaíno) (past κατάλαβα) passive: only plural present stem

1. to understand, realise

• Although λαμβάνω (lamváno) and λαβαίνω (lavaíno) are alternative forms having the same meaning, this is not true of καταλαβαίνω (katalavaíno, “to understand, to realise, to notice”) and καταλαμβάνω (katalamváno, “to seize, to acquire sovereignty”).
• Passive voice: only plural present stem, with sense: "we understand each other"

• κατανοώ (katanoó)

• ακαταλαβίστικος (akatalavístikos, “incomprehensible”)
• δεν καταλαβαίνω (den katalavaíno, “I do not understand”)
• πολυκαταλαβαίνω (polykatalavaíno, “understand too well”) (usually negative)
• στραβοκαταλαβαίνω (stravokatalavaíno, “understand incorrectly”)