Which one should you use?
While σωστός refers to being correct or right in a factual or moral sense, you may encounter Ορθός, which is used in formal contexts to mean correct in a more precise or technical sense. Additionally, in informal settings, you might hear the English loanword Οκέι used to express agreement or acceptance, which can colloquially function as an affirmation that something is correct.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, σωστός must agree with the gender and number of the noun it describes. Use σωστή for feminine singular nouns, σωστό for neuter singular nouns, σωστοί for masculine plural nouns and σωστές for feminine plural nouns. If you need the verb meaning "to make something become right that was previously wrong," use διορθώνω.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is sostós and the IPA is /soˈstos/.
Did you know?
- The formal word Ορθός shares a root with 'Orthodox Christianity' and 'orthodontics'. All three terms use the same Greek root for 'straight' or 'correct'.
- The word σωστός traces its roots back to the ancient verb meaning 'to save'.
- While σωστός means 'correct', the Greek word for 'correcting' something, διορθώνω, literally means 'making something straight'.
Examples in context
- Αυτή η απάντηση είναι σωστήThis answer is correct
- Η απόφαση είναι σωστήThe decision is correct
- Οκέι, αυτό είναι σωστόOkay, that's correct
Example conversation
Anastasia and Nikos are checking their homework together.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝίκο, δες αν αυτός ο αριθμός είναι σωστός.Niko, des an autos o arithmos einai sostos.Nikos, see if this number is correct.
- Νίκος NikosΝαι, Αναστασία, είναι απολύτως σωστός.Ne, Anastasia, einai apolytos sostos.Yes, Anastasia, it is absolutely correct.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΤώρα μπορούμε να το παραδώσουμε.Tora boroume na to paradousoume.Now we can hand it in.
- Νίκος NikosΣυμφωνώ, τελειώσαμε επιτέλους!Symfono, teleiosame epitelous!I agree, we are finally finished!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “correct” translations and entries σωστός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries σωστός, CC BY-SA 4.0.
