English Translation
I don’t give a damn about it!
Chat GPT-4o 30-Nov-2024
Me: I confused with the use of “burning” and “nail” in the sentence.
GPT-4o: The phrase “καίγεται καρφί” (literally “a nail is burning”) is an idiomatic expression in Greek.
In this context:
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"καίγεται" (is burning): This part of the expression conveys a sense of urgency or importance. However, when combined with “καρφί” (nail), it implies that there is no urgency or importance at all.
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"καρφί" (nail): In this idiomatic usage, it represents something trivial or insignificant.
So, when someone says “Δε μου καίγεται καρφί γι’ αυτό,” they are essentially saying that they don’t care at all about the matter at hand, as if to say that even a trivial thing (like a nail) is not worth their concern. The imagery of a “burning nail” emphasizes the idea that they are completely indifferent.
Me: OK, so in context, the speaker is responding to someone who thinks there is a very important issue, but the speaker is saying that it’s like a "burning nail” i.e. downgrading the other person’s concerns to something that is trivial or unimportant to the speaker?
GPT-4o: Exactly! You’ve got it right. In that context, the speaker is responding to someone who perceives an issue as important or urgent. By saying “Δε μου καίγεται καρφί γι’ αυτό,” the speaker is effectively downplaying the significance of the issue, indicating that they view it as trivial or unimportant. It’s a way of expressing indifference and suggesting that the other person’s concerns are exaggerated or not worth worrying about.
Me: Is it a polite expression?
GPT-4o: No, the expression “Δε μου καίγεται καρφί γι’ αυτό” is generally not considered polite. It conveys a strong sense of indifference and can come across as dismissive or even rude, especially if someone is genuinely concerned about the issue being discussed.
Using this phrase might hurt the feelings of the person who is expressing their concerns, as it implies that their worries are trivial and not worthy of attention. In a conversation, it’s important to be mindful of the tone and context, as this expression can escalate tensions or lead to misunderstandings.