αέρας
aéras/aˈe.ɾas/masculine
The English word air is αέρας (aéras) in Greek.
αέρας refers to the mixture of gases making up the Earth's atmosphere. In many contexts, it can also refer to the movement of air or wind.
Meaning: mixture of gases making up the atmosphere of the Earth (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cyprus, αέρας is commonly used as both the formal and informal term for air.
How does it change in a sentence?
αέρας is a masculine noun. It changes to του αέρα in the genitive singular case (meaning "of the air").
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /aˈe.ɾas/.
Did you know?
- When talking about a person's mood, a Greek might say they are 'με αέρα' to suggest that person is acting stuck-up or full of themselves.
- In Greek folklore, a 'bad air' κακός αέρας was sometimes believed to be a spiritual or supernatural force that caused sudden illness.
- Ancient Greeks used the word αήρ to describe the lower atmosphere, distinguishing it from αιθήρ, the pure, upper air breathed by the gods.
Examples in context
- Ο αέρας είναι αόρατος.Air is invisible.This sentence is useful for stating that αέρας is invisible.Tatoeba #5457327 by Zeus, translation #18231 by papabear
- Ο αέρας είναι πιο καθαρός μετά τη βροχή.The air is cleaner after rain.This sentence is useful for describing how αέρας is cleaner after rain.Tatoeba #12017557 by carlosalberto, translation #12017521 by carlosalberto
- Άνοιξε το παράθυρο να μπει καθαρός αέρας.Open the window for fresh air to come in.This sentence is useful for requesting fresh αέρας via an open window.Tatoeba #1384315 by enteka, translation #8983069 by Nylez
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia and George are walking in a forest.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΚόπε, ο αέρας εδώ είναι υπέροχος!Kópe, o aéras edó eínai ypérochos!Look, the air here is wonderful!
- Γιώργος GiorgosΈχεις δίκιο, Αναστασία. Είναι πολύ φρέσκος.Écheis díkio, Anastasia. Eínai polý fréskos.You are right, Anastasia. It is very fresh.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΧρειαζόμαστε περισσότερο τέτοιο αέρας στην πόλη.Chreiazómaste perissótero tétio aéras stin póli.We need more of this kind of air in the city.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΣυμφωνώ, Γιώργος το πιστεύει αυτό.Symfonó, Giórgos to pistévei aftó.I agree, George believes that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “air” translations and entries αέρας, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
