πταίω

Greek

Etymology

Probably from Proto-Indo-European *p(y)eh₂w- (“to strike, hit”), and cognate with Latin paviō (“to beat, strike”), Lithuanian pjáuti (“to reap, cut”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpte.o/
• Hyphenation: πταί‧ω

Verb

πταίω • (ptaío)

1. to nudge
2. to crash into
3. to stumble
4. to err
5. to have bad luck
6. (dated, katharevousa, archaic) Alternative form of φταίω (ftaío), as in the expression

   τις πταίει; (tis ptaíei?, “who's to blame?”) (article in 1874 by politician Charilaos Trikoupis)

Conjugation

• Usually in present tense, in 3rd person πταίει (ptaíei) as in the conjugation of the ancient πταίω (ptaíō)