κότα
kóta/ˈkota/feminine
The English phrase "coward" can be translated into Greek using several forms, most commonly κότα (kóta). Wiktionary also lists φοβιτσιάρης (fovitsiáris) and κιοτής (kiotís).
Meaning: a person who lacks courage (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| κότα | kóta | /ˈkota/ | feminine |
| φοβιτσιάρης | fovitsiáris | masculine | |
| κιοτής | kiotís | masculine | |
| φοβητσιάρης | fovitsiáris | masculine |
All these terms refer to a person who lacks courage.
Which one should you use?
While κότα is a feminine noun, φοβητσιάρης is the masculine form for a coward. Note that φοβιτσιάρης is a common phonetic variation of the standard masculine form φοβητσιάρης.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term κότα is colloquial and carries a more insulting, derogatory tone than more formal synonyms. The term Φλώρος is an informal term describing someone as a weakling or a wimp.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form κότα is a feminine noun used to refer to a female coward.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈkota/ (kóta).
Did you know?
- While κότα is a feminine noun, it is used to call both men and women cowards when used as an insult.
- The masculine term φοβητσιάρης is built from the root φόβος, which is the source of the English word 'phobia'.
- The word κότα literally translates to 'hen' in Greek, but its etymological root is actually the masculine 'rooster' or 'cock'.
Examples in context
- Μην είσαι κότα και πες την αλήθεια.Min ise kota ke pes tin alitheia.Don't be a coward and tell the truth.
Example conversation
Dimitris is afraid to jump into a deep pool.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΔεν τολμάω να πηδήξω, είναι πολύ βαθιά.Den tolmáo na pidhékso, eínai polý vathiá.I don't dare to jump, it's very deep.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΜην είσαι κότα, Δημήτρη! Πήδα!Min eísai kóta, Dimítri! Pída!Don't be a coward, Dimitris! Jump!
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΌχι, θα μπω σιγά σιγά από τη σκάλα.Óchi, tha mpo sigá sigá apó ti skála.No, I'll go in slowly using the ladder.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕίσαι πραγματικά φοβητσιάρης σήμερα.Eísai pragmatiká vovitsiáris símera.You are truly a scaredy-cat today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “coward” translations and entries κότα, φοβητσιάρης, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries κότα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
