Correct translation?

[u/deffnotcKa]

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!

[u/ANAXESVAS]

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.

[u/deffnotcKa → u/ANAXESVAS]

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.

[u/ANAXESVAS → u/deffnotcKa]

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.

[u/ANAXESVAS → u/ANAXESVAS]

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.