αυτόγραφο
aftógrafo/aˈto.ɣɾa.fo/neuter
The English phrase autograph is αυτόγραφο (aftógrafo) in Greek.
αυτόγραφο is a neuter noun used to refer to an autograph.
Meaning: signature (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of αυτό (self) and γράφω (write), so it literally means self-written.
Which one should you use?
While αυτόγραφο refers to the physical object (the autograph itself), the word υπογραφή is the standard word for the act or the name written as a signature on documents.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the neuter noun αυτόγραφο is αυτόγραφα.
How do you pronounce it?
aftógrafo. The stress is on the second of four syllables.
Did you know?
- The word αυτόγραφο is a learned borrowing from French autographe, which in turn was based on the Ancient Greek word αὐτόγραφος. This makes it a linguistic circle where the word left Greece and returned centuries later.
- The prefix αυτό in αυτόγραφο is the ancestor of the English prefix 'auto' found in words like 'automatic' and 'automobile'. Both come from the Greek word for 'self'.
- In Greek literature, an αυτόγραφο is often used to refer to an original manuscript of a famous author, not just a signed scrap of paper. This elevates the word from a fan's trophy to a scholarly treasure.
Examples in context
- Μπορώ να πάρω την υπογραφή σας;May I have your autograph?
- Φυσικά, ευχαρίστως! Εδώ είναι η υπογραφή μου!Of course, gladly! Here is my autograph!
- Θέλω ένα αυτόγραφο από αυτόν τον ηθοποιό.Thelo ena aftografo apo autón ton ithopió.I want an autograph from this actor.
- Έλα να πάρεις ένα αυτόγραφο από τον συγγραφέα.Ela na paris ena aftografo apo ton syngrafa.Come get an autograph from the author.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “autograph” translations and entries αυτόγραφο, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries αυτόγραφο, CC BY-SA 4.0.
