αίμα
aíma/ˈe.ma/neuter
The Greek word for blood is αίμα (aíma).
αίμα refers to the vital liquid flowing in human and animal bodies. It can also be used in the idiom σάρκα και αίμα (flesh and blood) to describe someone who is a close relative or kin.
Meaning: vital liquid flowing in human and animal bodies (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a neuter noun. The genitive singular form, meaning "of blood", is αίματος.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈe.ma/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
When do people say it?
When using the idiom σάρκα και αίμα, you are describing a person's close relative or kin.
Did you know?
- The origin of αίμα is highly contested among linguists and may possibly derive from Northwest Semitic languages rather than Proto-Indo-European.
- In Ancient Greek tragedy, mentions of αίμα often functioned as a symbol of an inescapable family curse or inherited guilt.
- The word αίμα is the ancestor of many English medical terms, such as 'hemoglobin' and 'hemorrhage'.
Examples in context
- Θέλω το αίμα σου.I want your blood.This sentence shows how to express a desire for someone's blood using αίμα.Tatoeba #2665808 by Zeus, translation #2665797 by FeuDRenais2
- Είσαι σάρκα και αίμα μου.You're my flesh and blood.This sentence demonstrates the idiomatic use of αίμα to describe a close relative.Tatoeba #2404520 by mululatv, translation #8078829 by CK
- Το αίμα σου είναι κόκκινο.Your blood is red.This sentence describes the color of blood using αίμα.Tatoeba #5538284 by Zeus, translation #5332083 by honeygod
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a clinic after a small accident.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΈχυσες πολύ αίμα στο χέρι σου;Échyses poly aíma sto chéri sou?Did you bleed a lot on your hand?
- Ελένη EleniΝαι, αλλά σταμάτησε τώρα.Nai, allá stamátise tóra.Yes, but it stopped now.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΠρέπει να καθαρίσουμε το αίμα.Prépei na katharísoume to aíma.We need to clean up the blood.
- Ελένη EleniΕυχαριστώ, Γιώργο, για τη βοήθεια.Efcharistó, Giórgo, gia ti voítheia.Thank you, Giorgos, for the help.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blood” translations and entries αίμα, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries αίμα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
