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From alpha to omega, Greek letters come collectively to create some lovely Greek phrases.
Because the longest-documented Indo-European language, Greek has a wealthy historical past. Relationship again to the 2nd millennium BC, the language has gone by many adjustments till it developed into Fashionable Greek that’s spoken in the present day. All this historical past additionally implies that it isn’t in need of cool phrases.
For this text, we constructed a listing of untranslatable, lovely, and well-known Greek phrases that you’ll find so cool that it would be best to study Greek. A few of these phrases will assist you to in on a regular basis life as you converse Greek; some will broaden your vocabulary; and others will mild the spark in your language journey. What have they got in frequent? They’re all tremendous cool!
What are some untranslatable Greek phrases?
Many languages have untranslatable phrases, and Greek is unquestionably considered one of them. Let’s have a look as they present us a sneak peek into Greek tradition.
- Μεράκι (meraki)
Meraki expresses a way of soul and uniqueness. It’s the sensation once you’re doing one thing with such devotion that you just’re placing in an essence of your self. It could possibly be any exercise, for instance, cooking, making jewelry, or taking part in a musical piece. - Κελεπούρι (kelepuri)
Kelepuri is a “cut price.” When it’s used for objects, it conveys a superb worth for cash. It may also be used for individuals, particularly in a romantic method. On this case, it means “a catch” or “a keeper.” - Φιλοξενία (filoksenia)
We are able to break the phrase filoksenia into two components: the primary half, filo, means “love,” and the second half ksenia means foreigner. So the literal that means is the love of foreigners. The phrase, nevertheless, is used to precise hospitality — suppose, the love of internet hosting visitors. - Φιλότιμο (filotimo)
Additionally rooting from the phrase filo, filotimo’s literal that means is “love of honour.” Once you say that somebody has filotimo, it implies that they honour their job and tasks in a devoted method. - Λεβέντης (levendis)
Levendis is used to explain a courageous and good-looking man. The phrase originates from Italian and dates again to the Center Ages when there have been pirates within the Jap Mediterranean. Though it ended up taking a adverse connotation in Italian, the phrase has a optimistic connotation in Greek. - χαρμολύπη (harmolipi)
Combining the Greek phrases for pleasure and disappointment, harmolipi conveys the coexistence of each. It will possibly finest be described in English as a sense of bittersweetness. - Καψούρα (kapsura)
Kapsura is a posh phrase. Some say that if you happen to perceive what it means, you’re already fluent in Greek! The phrase can be utilized for the infatuation somebody experiences once they first fall in love, a powerful want, or a crush that in all probability received’t final lengthy. - Κέφι (kefi)
Just like the Turkish phrase keyif or the Arabic phrase kayf, kefi may be described as a sense of pleasure and being in a superb temper. In Greek tradition, gathering with household and associates, consuming good meals, and having fun with every others’ firm are all moments of kefi. - Όπα (opa)
Opa is often utilized in many Balkan, Mediterranean, Southern, and Jap European international locations. You possibly can hear it throughout conventional dances or just as an expression of shock. - Ρε (Re)
Most likely probably the most untranslatable of all of them, re is a slang phrase that has a number of makes use of. In case you name a good friend re, it has the same that means to “hey” or “dude” in English. It’s also possible to use it as an interjection to precise shock, anger, or astonishment once you need to seize somebody’s consideration.
What are some lovely Greek phrases?
As a language that has had an affect on so many areas, together with science, philosophy, literature, arithmetic, and artwork, Greek has so many lovely phrases that they nearly sound poetic.
- Ποίημα (poima)
I’ve already referred to as Greek phrases poetic, so I would as effectively begin with the phrase for “poem.” This phrase is of Historical Greek origin and comes from the verb ποιέω, which suggests “to make” or “to create.” - Ψυχή (psihi)
Psihi means “soul” in Greek. It’s also the basis phrase of psychology, which accurately interprets into “the research of the soul.” - Αγάπη (agapi)
Referring to romantic love or unconditional love, agapi is among the most lovely phrases in Greek. Agapi mou, which interprets into “my love” is a typical method for Greek-speaking {couples} to name one another. - Φίλος (filos)
Filos or fili in female and filo in impartial, imply good friend. This phrase additionally resembles philia, which suggests a deep friendship, one of many 4 sorts of love for Historical Greeks. - Eλπίδα (elpida)
Some parts of Greek mythology are nonetheless current in Fashionable Greek. For instance, the phrase elpida, that means “hope”, comes from Elpis, who’s the spirit of hope in Greek mythology. - Θάλασσα (thalassa)
Have you ever heard the time period thalassophile? This cool phrase describes an individual who loves the ocean or the ocean. Its origins are Greek, with thalassa that means “sea.” - Ήλιος (ilios)
Helios is the god of the Solar in historic Greek faith. In Fashionable Greek, the phrase ilios means “solar” and it’s a masculine phrase because the Greek language has grammatical gender. - Ελευθερία (elefteria)
Eleftheria i thanatos or “freedom or dying” is the motto of Greece. The Greek phrase for “freedom,” elefteria is a female phrase and may also be a lady’s identify. - Αισθητική (estitiki)
No marvel why Greek structure seems so aesthetic because the phrase aesthetic itself comes from Greek. It didn’t at all times have the that means it had in the present day although. In Historical Greek, the phrase was associated to the notion of issues. - Γειά μάς! (Yeia mas!)
An abbreviation of the phrase την υγεία μας (tin igeia mas), yia mas means “cheers” in Greek. Its literal translation is “to our well being.” Subsequent time you’re in Greece or Cyprus, elevate your glass of ouzo over the scrumptious mezzes in an area taverna, and apply this phrase in its pure surroundings!
What are some well-known Greek phrases?
Do you know that greater than 150,000 English phrases are derived from Greek? Even if you happen to’re a newbie now, you’ll be shocked what number of Greek phrases you already know.
- Φοβία (phovia)
In English, we use the suffix fobia to explain the worry of one thing. For instance, claustrophobia is the worry of being in confined locations. It comes from the Greek phrase fovos (“worry”). - Mικρό (micro)
Actually that means small in Greek, this phrase is used as a prefix in English for phrases similar to microscope (helps us see small issues) and microbe (very small residing issues). - Διάλογος (dialogos)
In Historical Greek, dia means “by” and logos means “speech.” The widely-used English model, “dialogue” is a dialog between two or extra individuals. - Τηλέφωνο (tilefono)
“Phone” additionally derives from Historical Greek, with “tele” that means afar and “cellphone” that means sound. In case you are a language nerd like us, take into consideration the phrase “phonetics” or the “Worldwide Phonetic Alphabet” to recollect what the phrase fonos means! - Μαραθώνιος (marathonios)
Marathon is a city in Greece the place The Battle of Marathon occurred between Persians and Greeks in 490 BC. In the course of the warfare, the nice long-distance runner Pheidippides the Greek was despatched to Sparta to hunt assist. Afterward, French linguist Michel Bréal coined the time period “marathon” which suggests long-distance run. Since 1983, the Spartathlon Race takes place in Greece. - Υγιεινή (igieni)
Igieni or “hygiene” is said to the Greek phrase υγεία (igea) which suggests “well being” in English. - Μουσική (musiki)
“Music,” a phrase that’s frequent in lots of world languages, is considered of Greek origin. In Greek mythology, the Muses are goddesses of literature, science, and the humanities. - Αρχιτέκτων (arhitekton)
Borrowed from Historical Greek, “architect” has two Greek root phrases: archi (“chief”) and tekton (“builder”). So we will say that an architect in Greek interprets right into a grasp builder. - Καρδιά (kardia)
Cardio workout routines are the sorts of train that get your coronary heart fee up. Have you ever ever questioned why they’re referred to as this manner? Kardia means “coronary heart” in Greek. This is identical root in “cardiology,” the department of drugs that research the center.
What are some primary Greek phrases and phrases?
Though they could appear much less thrilling than the untranslatable phrases or the phrases that come from Greek mythology, studying the fundamental phrases is step one in studying Greek.
If the opposite phrases have impressed you already, let’s proceed with some extra phrases!
- Γειά σου (yeia sou): “Hi there” or “goodbye” (casual)
- Γειά σας (yeia sas): “Hi there” or “goodbye” (formal or plural)
- Καλημέρα (kalimera): “Good morning”
- Καλησπέρα (kalispera): “Good afternoon / good night”
- Καληνύχτα (kalinihta): “Good night time”
- Ευχαριστώ (efharisto): “Thanks”
- Παρακαλώ (parakalo): “Please / you’re welcome”
- Ναί (neh): “Sure”
- Oχι (ohi): “No”
- Συγνώμη (sinyomi): “Excuse me”
- πως σε λένε; (pos se lene): “What’s your identify?”
- Με λένε (me lene): “My identify is…”
- Χαίρω Πολύ (hero poli): “Good to satisfy you”
- Εντάξει (endaxi): “Okay”
- Τι κάνεις; (ti kanis): “How are you?” (casual)
- Τι κάνετε; (ti kanete): “How are you?” (formal or plural)
- Καλά (kala): “Good”
Able to study Greek?
Συγχαρητήρια! Congratulations! Listed here are some nice sources for Greek learners to get additional assist with pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
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