ξεσπάω

Greek

Alternative forms

  • ξεσπώ (xespó)

Etymology

Inherited from Byzantine Greek ξεσπώ (xespṓ), from Ancient Greek ἐκσπῶ (ekspô).[1] By surface analysis, ξε- (xe-) +‎ σπάω (spáo).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /kseˈspa.o/
  • Hyphenation: ξε‧σπά‧ω

Verb

ξεσπάω • (xespáo) / ξεσπώ (imperfect ξεσπούσα/ξέσπαγα, past ξέσπασα, passive —) (intransitive)

  1. to break out, to erupt (to begin suddenly and forcefully)
    Ξέσπασε πόλεμος.Xéspase pólemos.War broke out.
    Ξέσπασε πυρκαγιά.Xéspase pyrkagiá.A conflagration/wildfire broke out.
  2. to break into, to burst into, to burst out [with σε (se, + accusative)] (to display sudden powerful emotion)
    ξεσπάω σε κλάματαxespáo se klámatato break into tears, to burst into tears
    ξεσπάω σε γέλιαxespáo se géliato burst out laughing
    ξεσπάω σε χειροκροτήματαxespáo se cheirokrotímatato break/burst into applause
  3. to lash out (at), to bite one's head off, to go off on [with σε (se, + accusative)]
    Πάντα ξεσπά στα παιδιά, ακόμα κι αν δεν φταίνε.
    Pánta xespá sta paidiá, akóma ki an den ftaíne.
    She always bites the kids' heads off, even if it's not their fault.
  4. to erupt (to release an outburst of anger)
    Μην ξεσπάς τα νεύρα σου πάνω μου!
    Min xespás ta névra sou páno mou!
    Don't take your frustrations out on me!

Conjugation

Derived terms

  • ξέσπασμα n (xéspasma, outburst, outbreak)

References

  1. ^ ξεσπάω, in Λεξικό της κοινής νεοελληνικής [Dictionary of Standard Modern Greek], Triantafyllidis Foundation, 1998 at the Centre for the Greek language