πήγαινε στα κοράκια
pigene sta korakia
The English phrase "go to the crows" is expressed in Greek as πήγαινε στα κοράκια (pigene sta korakia).
This is a colloquial and dismissive idiom used to tell someone to get lost or to go away.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of "go to the crows", where στα κοράκια means "to the crows".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase is colloquial. When addressing one person informally, you can use Πήγαινε στους κοράκους.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form πήγαινε στα κοράκια uses the singular imperative, which is used when addressing one person informally.
How do you pronounce it?
pigene sta korakia
Did you know?
- The phrase evokes the image of the battlefield or a gallows, where crows gather to feed on the dead, making the dismissal a veiled wish for the person's demise.
- In Greek, κοράκι can refer to both a crow and a raven, as the language does not always strictly distinguish between these two birds in common speech.
- The word στα is a contraction derived from the Ancient Greek preposition εἰς meaning 'to' and the definite article τά.
Examples in context
- Έχεις καταντήσει ανεκδιήγητος. Πήγαινε στους κόρακες!You've become unbearable. Go to the crows!
- Δεν σε ακούω πια, πήγαινε στα κοράκια.Den se akouo pia, pígaine sta korákia.I am not listening to you anymore, go to the crows.
Example conversation
Two people are arguing after a misunderstanding.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΔεν με νοιάζουν οι δικαιολογίες σου, Ελένη.Den me noiazon oi dikaiologies sou, Eleni.I don't care about your excuses, Eleni.
- Ελένη EleniΠροσπάθησα να σε βοηθήσω, Γιώργο!Prospathisa na se voithiso, Giorgo!I tried to help you, Giorgos!
- Γιώργος GiorgosΤώρα πήγαινε στα κοράκια!Tora pigaine sta korakia!Now go to the crows!
- Ελένη EleniΕντάξει, θα φύγω αμέσως.Entaxei, tha fygo amesos.Fine, I will leave immediately.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries στα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
