Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| μπάσταρδος | bástardos | /ˈba.staɾ.ðos/ | masculine |
| καθίκι | kathíki | /kaˈθici/ | neuter |
In Greek, there are different ways to call someone a bastard depending on whether you are using a direct loanword or a colloquialism. μπάσταρδος is used to refer to a contemptible person. It can also be used as an exclamation of dismay. For describing something with abnormal, irregular or inferior qualities such as size or shape, the related adjective νόθος is used. In formal contexts, the phrase ανεπιθύμητος απόγονος can be used to mean 'unwanted offspring'.
What does it mean word for word?
When used as an insult, the neuter form καθίκι literally means 'seat' or 'stool', implying the person is something one sits on or is completely worthless.
Which one should you use?
μπάσταρδος is a direct loanword used for a contemptible person, whereas καθίκι is a common colloquial way to call someone a 'bastard' or a 'worthless person' (similar to 'piece of filth').
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a person directly as a bastard, the masculine noun μπάσταρδος changes to its vocative form μπάσταρδε.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is bástardos. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable. The IPA is /ˈba.staɾ.ðos/.
Did you know?
- The insult καθίκι actually comes from a word for a chamber pot, not a chair or a stool.
- The insult καθίκι is a neuter noun, which is an unusual grammatical gender for a word used to attack a person's character.
- In formal Greek, the phrase ανεπιθύμητος απόγονος shifts the focus to the person being 'unwanted' rather than the legal status of the parents' marriage.
Examples in context
- Φύγε από ’δω, ρε καθίκι!Get out of here, you bastard!This sentence is useful for demonstrating the use of καθίκι to tell someone to get out.
- Μπάσταρδε!Bastard!This sentence shows the use of the vocative form μπάσταρδε as an exclamation.
Example conversation
Kostas and Kyriaki are arguing about a dishonest coworker.
- Κώστας KostasΕίδατε τι έκανε. Είναι πραγματικός μπάσταρδος.Eídate ti ékane, Eínai pragmatikós mpástardos.Did you see what he did? He is a real bastard.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΈχεις δίκιο, Κώστα. Δεν έχει καθόλου ηθική.Écheis díkio, Kósta. Den échei kathólou ithikí.You are right, Kostas. He has no ethics at all.
- Κώστας KostasΔεν μπορώ να τον αντέρω πια.Den boró na ton antéro pia.I can't stand him anymore.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΚάνε υπομονή, Κυριακή θα σε βοηθήσει.Káne ypomoní, Kyriakí tha se voithísei.Be patient, Kyriaki will help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bastard” translations and entries μπάσταρδος, καθίκι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries καθίκι, μπάσταρδος, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
