διάρροια
diárroia/ðiˈaɾia/
The English word diarrhea is διάρροια (diárroia) in Greek. Wiktionary also lists ευκοιλιότητα (efkoiliótita).
Meaning: medical condition (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| διάρροια | diárroia | /ðiˈaɾia/ /ˈðʝaɾia/ |
|
| ευκοιλιότητα | efkoiliótita | feminine |
The term refers to the medical condition of diarrhea. In colloquial Greek, instead of saying 'she has diarrhea', it is very common to use the phrase την έπιασε διάρροια, which literally means 'diarrhea struck her'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun διάρροια is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
diárroia (/ðiˈaɾia/)
Did you know?
- The word διάρροια shares a root with the English word 'rheumatism', as both stem from the Greek root for 'flow'.
- The term ευκοιλιότητα describes a state of 'easy stomach' or digestive lightness, acting as a more polite euphemism than διάρροια.
- In Greek, the phrase την έπιασε διάρροια treats the condition as an active agent that 'grabs' or 'catches' the person.
Examples in context
- Έχετε διάρροια πόσες φορές τη μέρα;How many times a day do you have diarrhea?This sentence is useful for asking about the frequency of the condition using διάρροια.Tatoeba #2428075 by mululatv, translation #9271935 by Nylez
- Έχετε διάρροια;Do you have diarrhea?This sentence is useful for a simple yes/no question about whether someone has διάρροια.Tatoeba #2428073 by mululatv, translation #1671646 by NurseMeeks
- Έφαγε χαλασμένο ψάρι και την έπιασε διάρροια.She ate a spoiled fish and got diarrhea.This sentence demonstrates the colloquial phrase την έπιασε διάρροια used to describe someone getting sick.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dimitris is explaining his symptoms to Maria, who is a doctor.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΝιώθω πολύ άσχημα και έχω διάρροια από χθες.Niotho poly aschima kai echo diarrhoea apo chthes.I feel very bad and I've had diarrhea since yesterday.
- Μαρία MariaΈφαγες κάτι περίεργο στο εστιατόριο;Efages kati periergo sto estiatorio?Did you eat something strange at the restaurant?
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΝαι, νομίζω ότι η διάρροια είναι από το φαγητό.Nai, nomizo oti i diarrhoea einai apo to fagito.Yes, I think the diarrhea is from the food.
- Μαρία MariaΠιες πολύ νερό για να μην αφυδατουσείς, Δημήτρη.Pies poly nero gia na min afydatouseis, Dimitri.Drink plenty of water so you don't get dehydrated, Dimitris.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “diarrhea” translations and entries διάρροια, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
