How to Say "Death" in Greek - How To Say Guide

θάνατος

thánatos/ˈθa.na.tos/masculine

The English word 'death' is translated into Greek as θάνατος (thánatos).

θάνατος is a noun used to refer to the cessation of life.

Meaning: cessation of life (noun)

Which one should you use?

θάνατος is the noun for 'death', whereas the verb 'to die' is πεθαίνω.

To indicate possession or a relationship, such as 'the cause of death', use the genitive form θανάτου.

It has three syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.

In some Greek traditions, people avoid saying θάνατος directly when speaking of a recent loss, instead using euphemisms like έφυγε meaning 'he/she left'.
In Ancient Greek, θάνατος was personified as a god, the deity Thanatos, who was often depicted as a gentle figure rather than a terrifying one.
The English word 'thanatology', the scientific study of death, is derived directly from the Greek word θάνατος.

Ο θάνατος του Τομ δεν ήταν αυτοκτονία.
Tom's death wasn't a suicide.
The sentence is useful for demonstrating how to use θάνατος when discussing a specific event.
Tatoeba #5422628 by Zeus, translation #5374402 by CK
Ζωή και θάνατος είναι δυο πλευρές του ίδιου νομίσματος.
Life and death are two sides of the same coin.
This example shows how to use θάνατος in a metaphorical context regarding life and death.
Tatoeba #4945617 by _anna, translation #4945616 by _anna
Ο θάνατος δεν υπάρχει.
Death doesn’t exist.
This sentence is a way to use θάνατος in a philosophical statement.
Tatoeba #11453015 by janTuki, translation #10172981 by AstronautKangaroo
Ο θάνατος είναι μέρος της ανθρώπινης ζωής.
Death is part of human life.
Πρέπει να προσέχουμε και να μην πεθάνουμε από άσχημες συνήθειες.
We should be careful not to die from bad habits.
5 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two friends are discussing a philosophical book.

Ελένη Eleni

Πώς αντιμετωπίζει ο συγγραφέας τον θάνατο;
Pós antimetopízei o syngraféas ton thánato?
How does the author deal with death?
Νίκος Nikos

Πιστεύει ότι ο θάνατος είναι μια νέα αρχή.
Pistévei óti o thánatos eínai mia néa archí.
He believes that death is a new beginning.
Ελένη Eleni

Αυτό είναι μια πολύ ελπιδοφόρα προσέγγιση.
Autó eínai mia polý elpidofóra proséngisi.
That is a very hopeful approach.
Νίκος Nikos

Ναι, κάνει τον θάνατο λιγότερο τρομακτικό.
Nai, kánei ton thánato ligótero tromaktikó.
Yes, it makes death less scary.

Sources

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