κουτί
koutí/kuˈti/neuter
In Greek, the English word box is translated as κουτί (koutí). Wiktionary also lists κιβώτιο (kivótio) and κασόνι (kasóni).
Meaning: cuboid space, container (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| κουτί | koutí | /kuˈti/ | neuter |
| κιβώτιο | kivótio | neuter | |
| κασόνι | kasóni | neuter |
The term refers to a cuboid space or a container.
Which one should you use?
κουτί is the most common word for a standard box or container used in everyday speech. κιβώτιο refers to a larger, more substantial box, a chest or a crate.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of κουτί is κουτιά. All three forms, κιβώτιο, κουτί and κασόνι, are neuter nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /kuˈti/.
Did you know?
- The word κιβώτιο is used in Greek to describe both a chest and the biblical 'Ark', such as the 'Ark of the Covenant' or 'Noah's Ark'.
- While κουτί is the standard word for a box, the word κασόνι often specifically refers to a large dowry chest used by brides to store linens and valuables.
- The word κύτος, from which κουτί is derived, is a term also used in biology to describe a 'cell' or a hollow structure.
Examples in context
- Βρήκα το άδειο κουτί.I found the empty box.This sentence shows how to describe an empty box using κουτί.Tatoeba #5437115 by Zeus, translation #380151 by MUIRIEL
- Βρήκα το κουτί άδειο.I found the box empty.This sentence shows how to describe the state of the box using κουτί.Tatoeba #5437124 by Zeus, translation #22059 by CK
- Το κουτί είναι ελαφρύ.The box is light.This sentence shows how to describe the weight of the box using κουτί.Tatoeba #3228800 by Inego, translation #2002515 by bichodebola
- Παρακαλώ, σας παραδίδω το κιβώτιο με τα εγγράφατα.Please, I'm delivering the box with the documents to you.
- Πέταξε τη συσκευασία και φύλαξε μόνο το κουτί.Throw away the packaging and keep only the box.
- 41 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kostas and Maria are cleaning the living room.
- Κώστας KostasΠού είναι το κουτί με τα βιβλία;Pou einai to kouti me ta vivlia?Where is the box with the books?
- Μαρία MariaΕίναι δίπλα στον καναπέ, Κώστα.Einai dipla ston kanape, Kota.It is next to the sofa, Kostas.
- Κώστας KostasΔεν το βλέπω εδώ.Den to vlepo edo.I don't see it here.
- Μαρία MariaΚοίτα πίσω από το κουτί με τα παιχνίδια.Koita piso apo to kouti me ta pehnidia.Look behind the box with the toys.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “box” translations and entries κουτί, κιβώτιο, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries κιβώτιο, κουτί, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
