Αθήνα
Athína/aˈθina/feminine
Athens in Greek is Αθήνα (Athína).
Αθήνα is the name of the capital city of Greece.
Meaning: capital city of Greece (name)
Which one should you use?
The standard name is Αθήνα, but the informal way to say Athens is Αθήνες.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is Athína.
Did you know?
- The name Αθήνα is shared with the Greek word for the goddess Athena, as the city was named in her honor after she won a contest against Poseidon.
- In Ancient Greek, the name was plural Ἀθῆναι, which is why the English word 'Athens' ends with an 's'.
- In modern Greek, using the plural Αθήνες can sometimes refer to the wider metropolitan area rather than just the central city core of Αθήνα.
Examples in context
- Θα πάω στην Αθήνα.I will go to Athens.Tatoeba #2931548 by Zeus, translation #2528451 by BoriQa
- Κομίζω γλαύκα εις Αθήνας.I'm carrying owls to Athens.Tatoeba #2364956 by mululatv, translation #9711293 by Nylez
- Πώς είναι ο καιρός στην Αθήνα;What is the weather in Athens?Tatoeba #2760872 by Zeus, translation #2528481 by BoriQa
- Από την Αθήνα προέρχομαι.I come from Athens.
- Ας πάμε για καφέ στις Αθήνες.Let's go for coffee in Athens.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Eleni and Kostas are talking about their upcoming travel plans.
- Ελένη EleniΘέλεις να επισκεφθείς την Αθήνα;Theleis na episkefteis tin Athina;Do you want to visit Athens?
- Κώστας KostasΝαι, η Αθήνα είναι πανέμορφη.Ne, i Athina einai panemorfi.Yes, Athens is beautiful.
- Ελένη EleniΠότε θα πάμε στην Αθήνα;Pote tha pame stin Athina;When will we go to Athens?
- Κώστας KostasΜπορούμε να πάμε το καλοκαίρι.Boroume na pame to kalokairi.We can go in the summer.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “athens” translations and entries Αθήνα, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Αθήνα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
