καταλαβαίνω

Greek

Etymology

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).

Pronunciation

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

Verb

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

  1. to understand, realise

Usage notes

  • 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"

Conjugation

Synonyms

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

References

  1. καταλαβαίνω - Λεξικό της κοινής νεοελληνικής [Dictionary of Standard Modern Greek], 1998, by the "Triantafyllidis" Foundation.
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