When visiting Greece or interacting with Greek speakers, knowing how to say “beautiful” can come in handy when expressing admiration or appreciating the stunning landscapes, architecture, or even people. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways of saying “beautiful” in Greek, provide tips for usage, and offer examples to help you grasp the nuances of this delightful word.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Beautiful in Greek
1. “Ωραίος” (Οh-reh-os) – This is the most commonly used word to convey “beautiful” in a formal context. It can refer to both objects and people. For example, you can say:
Example 1: Η πόλη είναι ωραία. (Ee pólee íne oh-re-a) – The city is beautiful.
Example 2: Το φωτογραφικό έργο είναι ωραίο. (To fotográfiko ér-go íne oh-re-o) – The photographic work is beautiful.
2. “Καλόγερος” (Kah-lo-ge-ros) – This word leans more towards the poetic sense of beauty and is often associated with beautiful landscapes, nature, or celestial entities. For instance:
Example: Ο ηλιοβασίλεμα είναι καλόγερο. (O eelio-va-see-le-ma íne kah-lo-ge-ro) – The sunset is beautiful.
Informal Ways to Say Beautiful in Greek
1. “Ωραίος” (Οh-reh-os) – As mentioned before, this word for “beautiful” can be used both formally and informally. However, in an informal context, you can modify it slightly by using the diminutive form:
Example: Η παραλία είναι ωραίουλη. (Ee pa-ra-lee-a íne oh-re-o-o-lee) – The beach is beautiful (in an adorable way).
2. “Ωραία” (Οh-reh-a) – This is the feminine form of “beautiful” and is often used in informal conversations, specifically referring to females:
Example: Η φίλη μου είναι ωραία. (Ee fee-lee mou íne oh-re-a) – My friend (female) is beautiful.
It’s important to note that Greek language relies heavily on the context, so the above examples can be adapted depending on what you precisely want to convey.
Tips for Usage:
1. Adjective Gender Agreement:
Greek adjectives need to agree in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the noun they modify. For instance:
Example: Ο κήπος είναι ωραίος. (O kee-pos íne oh-re-os) – The garden is beautiful.
Η αίθουσα είναι ωραία. (Ee eth-ou-sa íne oh-re-a) – The hall is beautiful.
2. Word Order:
In Greek, the adjective generally follows the noun it describes. However, there may be exceptions for poetic or expressive purposes. For instance:
Example: Ένας καλόγερος κήπος. (En-as kah-lo-ge-ros kee-pos) – A beautiful garden.
Conclusion
Now that you have a grasp of how to express “beautiful” in Greek, both formally and informally, you can confidently appreciate the beauty you encounter in Greece. Remember that language is a living entity, and regional variations may exist within Greece, but the variations mentioned above should serve you well no matter where you go in the country. Don’t be afraid to practice what you’ve learned and engage with the locals, as your efforts to communicate in their language will surely be appreciated.
So, go out there and explore the stunning vistas, marvel at the architecture, and celebrate the beauty around you by using the appropriate Greek words for “beautiful.” Enjoy your journey!
