δανείζω
daneízo
To lend in Greek is δανείζω (daneízo).
The verb refers to the act of allowing something to be used temporarily.
Meaning: to allow to be used temporarily (verb)
Which one should you use?
While δανείζω means to lend, the verb used for to borrow is δανείζομαι.
How does it change in a sentence?
δανείζω is the first-person singular present indicative, meaning I lend or I am lending. The third-person singular present indicative form is δανείζει, meaning he or she lends.
How do you pronounce it?
daneízo
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse the verb for lending with its reflexive forms. For example, in the past tense, δανείστηκα means I borrowed, rather than I lent.
Did you know?
- The root of δανείζω comes from the word δάνειος, which in ancient times specifically referred to a loan that had to be paid back with interest.
- The reflexive structure used for 'borrowing' (δανείζομαι) is logically framed as 'lending to oneself', treating the borrower as the temporary owner of the object.
- Using δανείζω to describe lending someone your 'time' or 'attention' can sound strangely transactional in Greek. While grammatically possible, it carries a weight that suggests a formal exchange rather than a social favor.
Examples in context
- Θα σου δανείσω το βιβλίο μουI will lend you my book
- Σας παραχωρώ το σπίτι μου για μια εβδομάδαI lend you my house for a week
- Δανείζομαι την κιθάρα σουI'm borrowing your guitar
- Νίκο, μπορείς να μου δανείσεις τον φορτηγό σου για μια μέρα;Nikos, can you lend me your truck for a day?
- Θα σου δανείσω τα λεφτά που μου ζήτησες, αλλά πρέπει να μου τα επιστρέψεις αργότεραI will lend you the money you asked for, but you need to return it later
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lend” translations and entries δανείζω, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
