δίφθογγος
dífthongosmasculine
The English phrase "diphthong" is δίφθογγος (dífthongos) in Greek.
δίφθογγος is a noun used to refer to a complex vowel sound.
Meaning: complex vowel sound (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is dífthongos.
Did you know?
- The Greek term for diphthong shares the same root as the English word 'phone' via the Greek word φωνή.
- In Ancient Greek, the word φθόγγος was often used to describe the cries of animals or the sounds of nature before it became a technical linguistic term.
- Greek is the source language for the English word 'diphthong', which entered English via Latin and French rather than directly from the original Greek.
Examples in context
- είναιTo be
- βοήθειαHelp
- υιοθεσίαAdoption
- Αυτός ο δίφθογγος είναι δύσκολος.Aftos o difthongos einai dyskolos.This diphthong is difficult.
- Πώς προφέρεται αυτός ο δίφθογγος;Pos proferetai aftos o difthongos;How is this diphthong pronounced?
Example conversation
Anastasia is helping Nikos study Greek linguistics.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝίκο, μπορείς να βρεις έναν δίφθογγο εδώ;Niko, boreis na vreis enan diphthongo edo?Nikos, can you find a diphthong here?
- Νίκος NikosΝαι, είναι τα δύο γράμματα στην αρχή.Nai, einai ta dyo grammata stin arche.Yes, it is the two letters at the beginning.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΣωστά, αυτός είναι ο δίφθογγος που ψάχναμε.Sosta, aftos einai o diphthongos pou psachname.Correct, that is the diphthong we were looking for.
- Νίκος NikosΤώρα το κατάλαβα τελικά!Tora to katalava telika!Now I finally understand it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “diphthong” translations and entries δίφθογγος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
