πουλί
poulí/puˈli/neuter
The English word bird is translated into Greek as πουλί (poulí) or πτηνό.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| πουλί | poulí | /puˈli/ | neuter |
| πτηνό | ptinó | neuter |
Both words refer to the animal, but they are used in different contexts depending on whether you are speaking generally or technically.
Which one should you use?
πουλί is the common, everyday word for a bird used in most contexts. In contrast, πτηνό is a more formal or technical term, often used in scientific, biological or culinary contexts (referring to poultry).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Islands of the Aegean, πουλί is used for bird.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the common word πουλί is πουλιά. The plural form of the formal term πτηνό is πτηνά. Both words are neuter nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is poulí and the IPA is /puˈli/.
Did you know?
- The word πουλί likely entered the Greek language through the Latin word pullus, which means 'young animal' or 'chick'.
Examples in context
- Το πουλί είναι στον ουρανό.The bird is in the sky.This sentence shows how to use πουλί to describe a bird's location.Tatoeba #3840260 by Zeus, translation #3812934 by muriloricci
- Πως αποκαλείτε αυτό το πουλί στα αγγλικά;What do you call this bird in English?This sentence uses πουλί when asking for a translation.Tatoeba #2896239 by glavkos, translation #26374 by CK
- Μακάρι να μπορούσα να πετάξω όπου θέλω όπως ένα πουλί.Wish I could fly anywhere I would like like a bird.This sentence uses πουλί in a metaphorical sense regarding the desire to fly.Tatoeba #7772235 by eypros, translation #7771505 by Kaa938637
- Το πουλί πετάει ψηλά στον ουρανό.The bird is flying high in the sky.
- Τα πουλιά τραγουδούν πολύ όμορφα.The birds sing very beautifully.
- Κοίτα! Ένα πουλάκι κάθεται στο κλαδί.Look! A bird is sitting on the branch.
- Τα πουλάκια έκαναν φωλιά στον κήπο μας.The birds made a nest in our garden.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kostas and Anastasia are looking at a garden.
- Κώστας KostasΚοίτα, ένα πολύ όμορφο πουλί!Koíta, éna polý ómorfo poúli!Look, a very beautiful bird!
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΠού είναι το πουλί, Κώστα;Poú eínai to poúli, Kósta?Where is the bird, Kostas?
- Κώστας KostasΕίναι πάνω στον κώκο του δέντρου.Eínai páno ston kóko tou déntrou.It is on the branch of the tree.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΑχρηστα, είναι πραγματικά υπέροχο.Achristá, eínai pragmatiká ypérocho.Wow, it is truly wonderful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bird” translations and entries πουλί, πτηνό, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries πουλί, πτηνό, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
