καθαρός
katharós/ka.θaˈɾos/
The English word 'clean' is translated into Greek as καθαρός (katharós).
The term καθαρός is primarily used as an adjective meaning 'clean' or 'not dirty'. For contexts involving moral or religious purity, related words like αγνός or αμόλυντος may be more appropriate. If you want to express the action of cleaning (the verb), use καθαρίζω instead of the adjective καθαρός.
Meaning: (transitive) to remove dirt from a place or object (verb)
Which one should you use?
While καθαρός is used as an adjective to describe something that is clean, you should use the verb καθαρίζω when you want to describe the act of removing dirt from an object or place.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective καθαρός must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use καθαροί for masculine plural nouns, καθαρή for feminine singular nouns, καθαρές for feminine plural nouns, καθαρό for neuter singular nouns and καθαρά for neuter plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ka.θaˈɾos/ and has three syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the adjective καθαρός when you mean the action of cleaning. Use the verb καθαρίζω instead.
Did you know?
- The verb καθαρίζω is also used to mean 'to gut' a fish or 'to peel' a fruit, implying the removal of unnecessary outer layers.
- To say 'clean up' in the sense of tidying a room, Greeks often use the verb τακτοποιώ, while καθαρίζω specifically implies removing dirt with water or a cloth.
- The adjective καθαρός can be used as an adverb to mean 'clearly' or 'plainly', such as when saying someone spoke 'clearly'.
Examples in context
- Ο Τομ είναι καθαρός.Tom is clean.This sentence is useful for demonstrating the use of καθαρός.Tatoeba #5592383 by Zeus, translation #2202652 by CK
- Η αίθουσα είναι πάντα καθαρή.The room is always clean.
- Οι δρόμοι είναι ψιλοκαθαροί.The streets are fairly clean, tidied up.
Example conversation
Kyriaki and Kostas are tidying up the kitchen.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΚώστα, ο πάγκος είναι καθαρός;Kostas, o pankos einai katharos?Kostas, is the counter clean?
- Κώστας KostasΝαι, τον καθάρισα μόλις τώρα.Nai, ton katharisa molis tora.Yes, I just cleaned it.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΤότε βάλε τα πιάτα εκεί.Tote vale ta piata ekei.Then put the plates there.
- Κώστας KostasΕντάξει, θα τα βάλω.Entaxei, tha ta valo.Okay, I will put them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry καθαρός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
