κτίριο
ktírioneuter
The Greek word for building is κτίριο (ktírio). It is also spelled κτήριο (ktírio). Wiktionary also lists κτίσμα (ktísma) and οικοδομή (oikodomí).
Meaning: closed structure with walls and a roof (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| κτίριο | ktírio | neuter | |
| κτίσμα | ktísma | neuter | |
| οικοδομή | oikodomí | [i.kɔ.ðɔ.ˈmi] (narrow) | feminine |
| κτήριο | ktírio | neuter, alternative form |
The term refers to a closed structure with walls and a roof.
Which one should you use?
κτίριο is the most common, neutral term for a building used in everyday speech and formal contexts. In contrast, οικοδομή often refers to the building in the sense of a construction project or a specific structure being built. The form κτίσμα is also a neuter noun used for a building.
How does it change in a sentence?
The neuter noun κτίριο becomes the plural κτίρια. The feminine noun οικοδομή becomes the plural οικοδομές.
How do you pronounce it?
ktírio
Did you know?
- The word οίκος, found within οικοδομή, is the ancestor of the English word 'ecology', referring to the 'house' of nature.
- In religious contexts, the word κτίσμα is sometimes used to describe the entire physical universe as a 'creation' or 'building' of God.
- The Greek word for 'architect' is αρχιτέκτων, combining αρχι meaning 'chief' and τέκτων meaning 'builder'.
Examples in context
- Το κτίριο έπιασε φωτιά.The building caught fire.This sentence is useful for describing an event involving the κτίριο.Tatoeba #5368185 by Zeus, translation #5355287 by mailohilohi
- Το κτίριο έχει εκκενωθεί.The building has been evacuated.This sentence is useful for describing the status of the κτίριο.Tatoeba #5364956 by Zeus, translation #5364147 by CK
- Το κτίριο στα δεξιά είναι ένα σχολείο.The building on the right is a school.This sentence is useful for identifying the function of the κτίριο.Tatoeba #3018489 by glavkos, translation #8972968 by Nylez
- Το κτίριο αυτό είναι ένα παράδειγμα της νεοκλασικής αρχιτεκτονικής.This building is an example of neoclassical architecture.
- Το κτίσμα αυτό έχει μια πολύ εντυπωσιακή αρχιτεκτονική.This building has a very impressive architecture.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giorgos and Eleni are walking in the city center.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΒλέπεις αυτό το κτίριο;Vlepis afto to ktirio;Do you see this building?
- Ελένη EleniΝαι, είναι πολύ εντυπωσιακό.Ne, einai poly entiposiako.Yes, it is very impressive.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίναι ένα ιστορικό κτίριο.Einai ena istoriko ktirio.It is a historical building.
- Ελένη EleniΈχει πολύ όμορφη αρχιτεκτονική.Echei poly omorfi architektoniki.It has very beautiful architecture.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “building” translations and entries κτίριο, κτίσμα, οικοδομή, κτήριο, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
