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Greek · The Essential Ten

σιγά

sigá

see-GHAH · /siˈɣa/

Big deal / whatever / calm down / as if — dismissive minimizing.

1/5 Grandma-safe

mild, playful; fine on daytime TV

Literally

"slowly / softly"

Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.

How to use it

Literally "slowly," but as an interjection it deflates whatever you just said. "Σιγά!" = "big deal," "so what," "yeah right." "Σιγά μη…" ("as if I'd…") is heavy sarcasm: "σιγά μη πληρώσω" — as if I'd pay. "Σιγά τα λάχανα" (easy on the cabbages) mocks something presented as impressive but isn't. Also a literal "slow down / take it easy." Grandma-safe, but the sarcasm can sting, so it's not always as gentle as its severity suggests.

Heard in the wild

Θύμωσε; Σιγά, θα του περάσει.

He got mad? Big deal, he'll get over it.

Where it lands

Greece & Cyprus (universal)

Quick answers

What does "σιγά" mean?
In Greek, "σιγά" means "Big deal / whatever / calm down / as if — dismissive minimizing.". Literally it's "slowly / softly". Literally "slowly," but as an interjection it deflates whatever you just said. "Σιγά!" = "big deal," "so what," "yeah right." "Σιγά μη…" ("as if I'd…") is heavy sarcasm: "σιγά μη πληρώσω" — as if I'd pay. "Σιγά τα λάχανα" (easy on the cabbages) mocks something presented as impressive but isn't. Also a literal "slow down / take it easy." Grandma-safe, but the sarcasm can sting, so it's not always as gentle as its severity suggests.
Is "σιγά" offensive?
It's on the mild end — 1/5 (Grandma-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. mild, playful; fine on daytime TV.
How do you pronounce "σιγά"?
Say it "see-GHAH" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: siˈɣa.

Related in Greek

ρε re reh Hey / man / you — a familiarity marker that softens or sharpens whatever follows. σκάσε skáse SKAH-seh Shut up! / Zip it! μας γάμησε mas gámise mahss GHAH-mee-seh It screwed us / we're done for / that ruined everything. άντε ρε ánte re AHN-deh reh Get outta here / oh come on / give me a break — dismissive disbelief. τι να κάνουμε ti na kánoume tee nah KAH-noo-meh What can you do / that's life / oh well — weary Greek resignation. δεν γαμιέται den gamiétai then gah-MYEH-teh Who gives a fuck / forget it / to hell with it — dismissive resignation.

The same idea, elsewhere

Via concepts like "Calm down".

how to say "Calm down" →how to say "Tough luck" →

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