πεταλούδα
petaloúda/pe.taˈlu.ða/feminine
The English word butterfly is translated into Greek as πεταλούδα (petaloúda). Wiktionary also lists ψυχή (psychí).
Meaning: insect (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| πεταλούδα | petaloúda | /pe.taˈlu.ða/ | feminine |
| ψυχή | psychí | /psiˈçi/ /tim‿bziˈçi/ |
feminine |
The term refers to the insect. While πεταλούδα is the standard biological term, you may encounter the word ψυχή used in poetic or metaphorical contexts to refer to a butterfly.
Which one should you use?
Use πεταλούδα when referring to the actual insect. Use ψυχή when you wish to be poetic or metaphorical, as this word also means 'soul' or 'psyche'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word πεταλούδα is a feminine noun. Its plural form is πεταλούδες.
How do you pronounce it?
petaloúda. The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable. The IPA transcription is /pe.taˈlu.ða/.
Did you know?
- The connection between ψυχή and the butterfly comes from the ancient belief that the soul exits the body in the form of a winged creature.
- The word πεταλούδα shares an ancestral Indo-European root with the English word 'petal'.
- In Ancient Greek mythology, Psyche is the personification of the soul and is frequently depicted with butterfly wings in art and literature.
Examples in context
- Η κότα τρώει μια πεταλούδα.The chicken eats a butterfly.Tatoeba #11131791 by carlosalberto, translation #11131776 by carlosalberto
- Η πεταλούδα είναι ένα έντομο.The butterfly is an insect.Tatoeba #11131634 by carlosalberto, translation #11131629 by carlosalberto
- Η νυχτερίδα τρώει την πεταλούδα.The bat eats the butterfly.Tatoeba #11679653 by carlosalberto, translation #11679637 by carlosalberto
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dimitris and Kyriaki are walking in a garden.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΚοίτα αυτή την όμορφη πεταλούδα!Koíta aftí tin ómorfi petaloúda!Look at this beautiful butterfly!
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕίναι πραγματικά πολύχρωμη.Eínai pragmatiká polýchromi.It is truly colorful.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΠού θα πάει η πεταλούδα τώρα;Poú tha páei i petaloúda tóra?Where will the butterfly go now?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠηγαίνει προς τα λουλούδια.Pigánei pros ta louloudia.It is going towards the flowers.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “butterfly” translations and entries πεταλούδα, ψυχή, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries πεταλούδα, ψυχή, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
