ήρεμος
íremos
The English word calm is translated into Greek as ήρεμος (íremos).
The adjective ήρεμος is used to describe someone who is free from anger and anxiety, a person's temperament or the state of the sea or weather.
Meaning: free from anger and anxiety (adj)
Which one should you use?
While ήρεμος is an adjective describing a person or state, ηρεμία is the noun meaning 'calmness' or 'peace'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective ήρεμος must agree in gender with the noun it describes, so use ήρεμος for masculine nouns, ήρεμη for feminine nouns and ήρεμα for neuter nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
íremos
Did you know?
- In Greek culture, calling someone ήρεμος can occasionally be a veiled critique, implying the person is too passive or lacks passion.
- The Greek word ήρεμος shares a prehistoric root with the English word 'rest', as both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁rem-.
- While ήρεμος is the standard translation for 'calm', Greeks often use the phrase ψυχραιμία to describe the specific quality of staying cool under pressure.
Examples in context
- Ο Τομ έμεινε ήρεμος.Tom stayed calm.This sentence shows how to use ήρεμος to describe a person staying calm.Tatoeba #3077071 by glavkos, translation #2238726 by CK
- Η παραλία ήταν πολύ ήρεμη σήμερα.The beach was very calm today.
- Αισθάνομαι γαλήνιος όταν διαβάζω.I feel calm when I read.
- Ζητώ ηρεμία για να συγκεντρωθώ.I ask for calmness to concentrate.
- Πρέπει να μείνεις ήρεμος τώρα.Prepei na meineis iremos tora.You must stay calm now.
Example conversation
George and Eleni are talking after a stressful day.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίμαι τόσο αγχωμένος!Eimai toso agchomenos!I am so stressed!
- Ελένη EleniΓιώργο, προσπάθησε να είσαι ήρεμος.Giorgo, prostapithise na eisai iremos.George, try to be calm.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΔεν μπορώ να σταματήσω να σκέφτομαι.Den boro na stamatiso na skeftomai.I can't stop thinking.
- Ελένη EleniΑνάσεσε βαθιά και χαλάρωσε.Anasa vathia kai chalarose.Take a deep breath and relax.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “calm” translations and entries ήρεμος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ήρεμος, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
