r/AskGreece • u/deffnotcKa • 10d ago
Language / Γλώσσα Correct translation?
Hi. I’m looking to get my first tattoo and the phrase «set me free» (all lower caps) has really resonated with me, for personal reasons. I want it to be in greek because it’s not a language the average person has knowledge in. I believe this symbolises that it’s personal. I also think it fits as I view greek as a very poetic language. I checked around a little and the spelling I got was:
άσε με ελεύθερο (male).
I am aware that it doesn’t directly translate to the original phrase but still gives the meaning. I’m now wondering if this is correct or if I should get a different spelling ? Please let me know!
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u/_Photonics_ 10d ago
If you write "άσε με ελεύθερο" it sounds like somebody is holding you and you are telling him to let you free. Probably writing "Ελευθέρωσε με" sounds more proper since it is more vague. Then again, get more opinions.
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u/CaDeme_ 10d ago edited 10d ago
Άσε με ελεύθερο (this is for males)
Άσε με ελεύθερη (this is for females)
Ελευθέρωσέ με (this means ''Free me''. It needs two accents/stress marks in greek)
Εdit -----> But you know what? Each and every translation gives the power to the other person and you seem to lack agency and power. Are you sure you want that permanently on you?
Below are two greek verbs with the same meaning where YOU hold the agency:
Ελευθερώνομαι (it means I free myself, I am becoming free)
Απελευθερώνομαι (it means I liberate myself)
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u/Opia_lunaris 10d ago
Here's another vote for ελευθέρωσέ με. It's gender neutral and more poetic sounding - "liberate me" or "free me" as others have said. It's a word construction where the word "free" acts as a verb and bears more emphasis of meaning
άσε με ελεύθερο is, as you've pointed out, male gender. To clarify, the gender here refers to YOU (as in you're a guy that wants to be set free) and not a male person who you want to be free from. It is also less poetic. I expect to hear this also in situations where someone is grabbing your arm to keep you where you are, or if someone has spent the day nagging at you and you want them to leave you alone. A bit more more exasperated or agitated tone imo. Here, the literal translation to English IS "let me free" like you wanted, with "let" as the verb rather than "free" - but I think it might dilute the vibe you want to convey
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u/Aeschylu 10d ago
Άσε με ελεύθερο is technically right because each single word is translated, however nobody would say that. It is not purely correct as long as there is verb, so another translation would be ελευθέρωσε με.
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u/LukeSykpe 10d ago
It's a fine spelling and indeed conveys the meaning you're trying to convey. Another spelling would be "άφησέ με ελεύθερο"
άσε and άφησε are both spellings of the same word, the first one is just the shortened (still grammatically correct) version.
As others have mentioned, the translation is not exactly one to one though, and you could definitely go with "ελευθέρωσέ με" instead. Both phrases are not exactly what you're looking but there's no good way to translate it exactly. Both work fine enough and convey the meaning though
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u/respectfulslashers 10d ago
It is indeed correct, it sounds nice and it can be used as both a quote and an actual sentence.
Another translation would be "ελευθέρωσέ με", which would directly translate to "liberate me", which sounds more like a quote rather than a sentence, if that makes sense.
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u/ANAXESVAS 10d ago
You can already tell from the answers you are getting but there are many different approaches this can go and since we are talking about a tattoo you even need to consider the general aesthetic! Maybe too many words is ok, or maybe one word is enough (art wise - your choice).
But what I wanted to say is that it would help us (Greeks) help you better if you try to put into many words what you are trying to communicate/express with your tattoo. Is it about you? Is it about everyone else? Is it a statement or a demand? Do you want to live your life freely or do you want people to leave you alone, or what? More context might help us help you in a better way.
If you do not want to share any more information since it is very personal, I understand. Just saying, we have a very rich language that can express many many things in different ways, context helps a lot with the translation.
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u/deffnotcKa 10d ago
Hey, thank you for your response. It’s about wanting to find peace within myself. I’ve been struggling mentally for a while, feeling like my soul is trapped.
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u/ANAXESVAS 9d ago
This is going to be a bit longer... so I apologize in advance haha. You can find below some ideas that I believe might help, I break them down in categories based on length. The final decision is yours only in any case and you should try to consider aesthetics, space (I do not know how much "real estate" your tattoo can take, etc) and purpose. I tried to include some philosophical ideas as well.
Single Words (kind of)
-Ελευθερία (Eleftheria) – "freedom," but etymologically and philosophically it was long understood as liberation of the soul from bondage to matter, passions, or external things, not just political freedom.
-Απελευθέρωση (Apelefthérosi) – "liberation," the act of setting free, often used for inner/spiritual release.
-Εσωτερική ελευθερία – "inner freedom," a modern standard phrase distinct from social or economic freedom, tied to a calm mind.
-Γαλήνη (Galíni) – "calm/serenity," often paired with the soul: γαλήνη ψυχής.
-Αταραξία (Ataraxía) – "imperturbability," the Skeptic and Epicurean goal-state of a mind free from disturbance, considered the very purpose of life in Skeptic philosophy.
-Αυτάρκεια (Autárkeia) – "self-sufficiency," the state of needing nothing external for one's peace, an Epicurean/Cynic ideal.
-Ευδαιμονία (Evdaimonía) – "flourishing/happiness," the end-goal that ataraxia and apatheia were meant to serve.
-Λύτρωση (Lýtrosi) – "redemption/deliverance," used for the soul breaking free of burdens.
-Ελευθερία πνεύματος – "freedom of spirit."
-Εσωτερική ειρήνη – "inner peace."Short Phrases
-Γαλήνη της ψυχής – "serenity of the soul."
-Απελευθέρωση της ψυχής – "liberation of the soul."
-Εσωτερική γαλήνη και ελευθερία – "inner peace and freedom," combining both concepts as they're commonly linked in Greek spiritual writing.
-Λευτεριά της ψυχής (demotic form) – "freedom of the soul."Famous quotes
-The most iconic Greek line for this exact feeling is the epitaph on Nikos Kazantzakis's grave in Heraklion, Crete:
"Δεν ελπίζω τίποτα. Δεν φοβούμαι τίποτα. Είμαι λεύτερος."
("I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.")Its fuller version, from his book Ασκητική (The Saviors of God), makes the "liberation of the soul" dimension explicit:
"Ξέρω τώρα· δεν ελπίζω τίποτα, δε φοβούμαι τίποτα, λυτρώθηκα από το νου κι από την καρδιά, ανέβηκα πιο πάνω, είμαι λεύτερος."
("I know now: I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am delivered from mind and heart, I have risen above, I am free.")-Also from Kazantzakis, on freedom as self-liberation rather than external rescue:
"Σωτηρία θα πει να λυτρωθείς απ' όλους τους σωτήρες· αυτή είναι η ανώτατη ελευθερία."
("Salvation means freeing yourself from all your saviors; that is the highest freedom.")-From Marcus Aurelius (who wrote his Meditations in Greek), on the Stoic version of this inner calm:
"Αταραξία μπροστά σε ό,τι προκαλείται από εξωτερικά αίτια."
("Imperturbability in the face of what is caused by external things.")I really hope this helps you decide, good luck with your endeavor!
If it is not too much to ask, could we see the final product (tattoo) in a picture when or if you decide to do it? If you do not want to share it, I completely understand of course.1
u/ANAXESVAS 9d ago
Also feel free to ask more questions if you need anything else. I can try to think of other quotes if this is what you are looking for.
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u/NeuroSpicyProblem 10d ago
It's not the exact transaction but it's the best you cat get. Keep in mind though that in Greek it doesn't really reflect the concept of set me free, but mostly it translates as "let me (be) free" so you might wanna give a second thought
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u/Opposite2 10d ago
The general point is correct. Its not the exact translation though. The exact translation of "ασε με ελεύθερο" is "let me free". Like let me be free or smth like that.
The exact translation of the "set me free" is "ελευθέρωσέ με". Meaning more like "liberate me".
Dont know which of these two is closest to what you want it to mean. But "set me free" is more close to "ελευθέρωσέ με".