αφεντικό
afentikó/afendiˈko/neuter
The Greek word for boss is αφεντικό (afentikó).
αφεντικό refers to a person in charge.
Meaning: person in charge (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
αφεντικό is often colloquial or slightly irreverent compared to formal terms like διευθυντής (director). For a more formal context, you might use Προϊστάμενος.
How does it change in a sentence?
αφεντικό is a neuter noun. In the singular, it is preceded by the neuter definite article το (το αφεντικό). To refer to multiple bosses, use the plural form τα αφεντικά.
How do you pronounce it?
afentikó
Did you know?
- While αφεντικό is common today, the root word αυθέντης in Ancient Greek could specifically refer to a 'perpetrator' or someone who committed a murder, reflecting a darker side of absolute power.
- The word αφεντικό shares an ancient root with the English word 'authentic'.
- In local shops, you might hear a customer or worker address a shopkeeper as αφεντικό as a way to show colloquial respect.
Examples in context
- Εγώ είμαι το αφεντικό τώρα.I'm the boss now.This sentence shows how to use αφεντικό to declare oneself in charge.Tatoeba #5425114 by Zeus, translation #5420272 by CK
- Ποιος είναι τώρα τ΄αφεντικό;Who's the boss now?This sentence uses αφεντικό to ask a question about who holds authority.Tatoeba #5523258 by Zeus, translation #4494940 by CK
- Ο Τομ είναι τ' αφεντικό μου.Tom is my boss.This sentence uses αφεντικό to identify someone as one's boss.Tatoeba #5605478 by Zeus, translation #2273292 by CK
- Ο προϊστάμενος μου είναι πάρα πολύ απαιτητικός.My boss is very demanding.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nikos and Kyriaki are talking about their new manager at work.
- Νίκος NikosΕίδες το νέο αφεντικό μας;Eides to neo afentiko mas?Did you see our new boss?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΝαι, φαίνεται πολύ αυστηρός.Nai, fainetai poly avstriros.Yes, he seems very strict.
- Νίκος NikosΕλπίζω να είναι δίκαιο αφεντικό.Elpizo na einai dikaio afentiko.I hope he is a fair boss.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΘα το μάθουμε σύντομα, Νίκο.Tha to mathoume syntoma, Niko.We will find out soon, Nikos.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boss” translations and entries αφεντικό, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries αφεντικό, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
