μπάσκετ
básketneuter
Basketball in Greek is expressed as μπάσκετ (básket) or καλαθοσφαίριση.
Meaning: the sport (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| μπάσκετ | básket | neuter |
| καλαθοσφαίριση | kalathosfaírisi | feminine |
The term refers to the sport of basketball.
What does it mean word for word?
The formal term καλαθοσφαίριση is a compound noun that literally translates to 'basket-ball-ing', combining καλάθι (basket) and σφαίρα (ball/sphere).
Which one should you use?
While καλαθοσφαίριση is the technical term used in official sports journalism or formal contexts, μπάσκετ is the much more common way to refer to the sport in everyday conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The common term μπάσκετ is a neuter noun and is indeclinable, meaning it does not change its form when used in different grammatical cases.
How do you pronounce it?
básket
Did you know?
- While μπάσκετ is a loanword, the formal καλαθοσφαίριση was created to preserve the Greek linguistic tradition of building complex compound nouns from ancient roots.
- The word μπάσκετ is a direct phonetic shortening of the older, hybrid term μπάσκετ-μπολ, which combined the English 'basket' with the English 'ball'.
- The word σφαίρα inside the formal term καλαθοσφαίριση is the same word used in Greek to describe a geometric sphere or even a celestial body.
Examples in context
- Έπαιξε μπάσκετ.She played basketball.This sentence uses μπάσκετ.Tatoeba #4750560 by pinkmpnster, translation #311965 by CK
- Παίζουν μπάσκετ.They play basketball.Tatoeba #4750595 by pinkmpnster, translation #2243286 by CK
- Παίζεις μπάσκετ;Do you play basketball?Tatoeba #5591574 by Zeus, translation #4062892 by CK
- Οι Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες περιλαμβάνουν πολλά αθλήματα, όπως καλαθοσφαίριση και ποδόσφαιρο.The Olympic Games include many sports, such as basketball and soccer.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dimitris and Kyriaki are discussing their hobbies.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΣου αρέσει το μπάσκετ;Sou arései to mpásket?Do you like basketball?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΌχι, προτιμώ το τένις.Óchi, protimó to ténis.No, I prefer tennis.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕγώ βλέπω μπάσκετ κάθε Κυριακή.Egó vlépo mpásket káthe Kyriakí.I watch basketball every Sunday.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕίναι πολύ γρήγορο παιχνίδι.Eínai polý grígoro paichnídi.It is a very fast game.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “basketball” translations and entries μπάσκετ, καλαθοσφαίριση, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries μπάσκετ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
