νταής
ntaḯsmasculine
The Greek word for bully is νταής (ntaḯs).
νταής refers to a person who is intentionally cruel to others. However, in a colloquial sense, it is also frequently used to describe a 'tough guy' or a 'big shot'.
Meaning: a person who is intentionally cruel to others (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
νταής is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
ntaḯs
Did you know?
- While it can mean a bully, a person might use νταής to describe a very well-dressed or 'dashing' man in certain historical contexts, much like the English term 'swell'.
- The concept of the νταής is often linked to the Greek cinematic trope of the 'tough guy' who lives by a certain code of honor in the streets.
- In some Greek social circles, calling a man a νταής is a way of acknowledging his perceived authority or 'alpha' status within a group.
Examples in context
- Ο νέος μαθητής γίνεται θύμα του τυράννου της τάξης.The new student becomes a victim of the classroom bully.
- Ο νταής στο σχολείο είναι πολύ κακός.O ntaïs sto scholeio einai poly kakos.The bully at school is very bad.
Example conversation
Giorgos and Kyriaki are talking about a classmate.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίδες πώς μίλησε ο Νίκος στο παιδί;Eides pos milise o Nikos sto paidi?Did you see how Nikos spoke to the child?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΝαι, είναι πραγματικός νταής.Nai, einai pragmatikos ndai is.Yes, he is a real bully.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΠρέπει να το πούμε στον δάσκαλο.Prepei na to poume ston daskalo.We should tell the teacher.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΣυμφωνώ, Γιώργο, πρέπει να σταματήσει.Symfono, Giorgo, prepei na stamatiisi.I agree, Giorgos, it must stop.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bully” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
