διάβολος
diávolos/ˈðʝa.vo.los/masculine
The English word "devil" can be translated into Greek as διάβολος (diávolos).
διάβολος is a masculine noun used to refer to an evil creature.
Meaning: evil creature (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word comes from the Greek verb διαβάλλω, which means "to throw across" or "to slander/accuse". Therefore, διάβολος literally means a slanderer or accuser.
Which one should you use?
When you are referring to the specific personification of evil, the name of the chief devil, use the capitalized form Διάβολος.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When διάβολος is used as the direct object of a sentence, it takes the accusative form διάβολο (e.g., τον διάβολο).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈðʝa.vo.los/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word διάβολος is the direct ancestor of the English word 'devil' through the Latin 'diabolus'.
- In Greek folklore, the διάβολος is sometimes depicted not as a horned monster but as a sophisticated gentleman or a trickster who can be outsmarted by a clever peasant.
- In Greece, the expression έχει τον διάβολο στην τσέπη means 'to have the devil in one's pocket', describing someone who is exceptionally cunning or mischievous.
Examples in context
- Ο διάβολος ζει στην κόλαση.The Devil lives in Hell.This sentence is useful for seeing διάβολος used as the subject of a sentence.
- Μια χαρά ήμασταν και τότε ήρθε αυτός ο διάβολος.We were fine and this devil came along.This sentence is useful for seeing διάβολος used to describe a person or thing that arrives.
- Βρε, τον διάβολο, κανείς δεν μπορεί να τον πιάσει.That (little) devil, no one can catch him.This sentence is useful for seeing the accusative form διάβολο used as a direct object.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a scary movie they just watched.
- Νίκος NikosΟ διάβολος στην ταινία ήταν τρομακτικός.O diabolos stin tainia itan tromaktikos.The devil in the movie was terrifying.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΝαι, Νίκο, με φόβισε πολύ η εμφάνισή του.Ne, Niko, me fovise poly i emfanisi tou.Yes, Nikos, his appearance scared me a lot.
- Νίκος NikosΠιστεύεις ότι ο διάβολος είναι πραγματικός;Pisteueis oti o diabolos einai pragmatikos?Do you believe that the devil is real?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΔεν ξέρω, Κυριακή δεν πιστεύει σε τέτοια πράγματα.Den xero, Kyriaki den pisteuei se tetoia prammata.I don't know, Kyriaki doesn't believe in such things.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “devil” translations and entries διάβολος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries διάβολος, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
