παραδίνομαι
paradínomai/pa.ɾaˈði.no.me/
The Greek word for to surrender is παραδίνομαι (paradínomai).
This verb is used intransitively or reflexively to express the act of giving oneself up into the power of another.
Meaning: intransitive or reflexive: to give oneself up into the power of another (verb)
Which one should you use?
While παραδίνομαι is used to express that one is surrendering themselves, the transitive form παραδίδω is used when you are surrendering an object or another person.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /pa.ɾaˈði.no.me/. It has five syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- The word παραδίνομαι belongs to a class of 'deponent' verbs in ancient Greek, which look passive in form but have an active meaning.
- In Greek, the concept of 'surrendering' to an emotion or a temptation is often expressed with different verbs than the one used for surrendering to an enemy.
- While παραδίνομαι is the formal term for surrender, Greeks often use the phrase παραδίνω τα όπλα which literally means 'I give up the weapons'.
Examples in context
- Παραδίνομαι.I surrender.This sentence is useful for stating the direct action of surrendering.Tatoeba #5460300 by Zeus, translation #2246292 by Hybrid
- Παραδίδομαι, φίλε. Εσύ κερδίζεις αυτό το παιχνίδι!I surrender, man. You win this game!
Example conversation
Nikis and Anastasia are playing a strategic board game.
- Νίκος NikosΈχασα τα πάντα, παραδίνομαι!Echasa ta panta, paradinomai!I lost everything, I surrender!
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΉδη το ήξερα, Νίκο.Idi to ixera, Niko.I already knew that, Nikos.
- Νίκος NikosΕίσαι πολύ δυνατή στο παιχνίδι.Eisai poly dynati sto paichnidi.You are very strong at the game.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕυχαριστώ, Αναστασία κέρδισε πάλι.Efcharisto, Anastasia kerdise pali.Thank you, Anastasia won again.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry παραδίνομαι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
