πεθαίνω
pethaíno[peˈθeno]
To die in Greek is expressed by the verb πεθαίνω (pethaíno). Wiktionary also lists αποθνήσκω (apothnísko) and αποβιώνω (apovióno).
Meaning: to stop living (verb)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| πεθαίνω | pethaíno | [peˈθeno] (narrow) |
| αποθνήσκω | apothnísko | |
| αποβιώνω | apovióno |
The verb forms are used to describe the act of passing away or ceasing to live. Note that if you are referring to a 'die' (the singular of dice) used in games of chance, you should use the noun ζάρι instead of any of these verb forms.
Which one should you use?
While πεθαίνω is the most common and everyday way to say 'to die', αποθνήσκω serves as a more formal or literary version. The form αποβιώνω is specifically used in more formal contexts to mean 'to die' or 'to perish', often in relation to a specific event such as a war or a disaster.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
For the verb πεθαίνω, the third-person singular past tense is πέθανε (he/she died) and the first-person singular future tense is θα πεθάνω (I will die).
How do you pronounce it?
pethaíno
Did you know?
- While αποβιώνω translates as 'to die', its literal components refer to the 'completion' or 'end' of a 'life' (βίος), treating death as a finished span of time.
- The Greek word for 'life' (βίος) found in αποβιώνω is the same root used in the English word 'biography'.
- Ancient Greek had a distinct verb αποθνῄσκω that evolved into the modern formal αποθνήσκω, preserving a linguistic link to the era of Homer and Plato.
Examples in context
- Ο παππούς μου πέθανε πριν από ένα χρόνο.My grandfather died a year ago.
- Στην ανακοίνωση γράφει πως ο Πρόεδρος αποβίωσε από φυσικά αίτια.The announcement states that the President passed away from natural causes.
- Ακούσατε τι συνέβη. Ο καημένος ο σκύλος ψόφησε από τον καύσωνα.Did you hear what happened? The poor dog died from the heatwave.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a sad movie.
- Μαρία MariaΕίναι πολύ λυπητερό που πεθαίνω ο ήρωας.einai poly lypitero pou pethaino o iroas.It is very sad that the hero dies.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΝαι, δεν το περίμενα καθόλου.nai, den to perimena katholou.Yes, I didn't expect it at all.
- Μαρία MariaΝιώθω σαν να πεθαίνω από τη θλίψη.niotho san na pethaino apo ti thlipsi.I feel like I'm dying from sadness.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΜη στενοχωρείσαι, Μαρία, είναι μόνο μια ταινία.mi stenohoreis, Maria, einai mono mia tainia.Don't be upset, Maria, it is only a movie.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “die” translations and entries πεθαίνω, αποθνήσκω, αποβιώνω, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
