κάτω
káto/ˈka.to/
The English word "down" is translated into Greek as κάτω (káto).
κάτω is an adverb meaning from a high to a low position, or downwards. When you want to describe the meaning of "from one end to another", you can use the prepositional phrase κάτω σε. Note that the Greek word χνούδι is a separate noun meaning soft hair of the face.
Meaning: from a high to a low position, downwards (adv)
Which one should you use?
The direct antonym for κάτω is πάνω, which means up or above.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the prepositional meaning of being "under" or "below" a specific object, you must add the preposition από to the adverb to form κάτω από.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈka.to/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Greek, κάτω can describe a city's location if it is further south than another, effectively treating the north-south axis of the map as a vertical slope.
- When talking about age, Greek uses κάτω από to mean 'under' a certain age, treating a chronological threshold as a physical height.
- The word κάτω is an ancient survivor that has remained virtually unchanged in form and meaning from the Ancient Greek lexicon to the present day.
Examples in context
- Τι είναι εκεί κάτω;What's down there?This example uses κάτω to ask what is down there.Tatoeba #5537582 by Zeus, translation #5505198 by CK
- Ο Τομ είπε στη Μαίρη να καθίσει κάτω.Tom told Mary to sit down.This example uses κάτω to indicate the direction of sitting.Tatoeba #7782681 by eypros, translation #7782647 by CK
- Κάτσε κάτω!Sit down!This example uses κάτω as a command to sit down.Tatoeba #5625862 by Zeus, translation #1349166 by sacredceltic
- Η παραλία είναι κάτω στο χωριό.The beach is down in the village.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nikos and Kyriaki are looking for something in a house.
- Νίκος NikosΕίναι τα κλειδιά στον κάτω όροφο;Einai ta klidya ston kato orofo?Are the keys downstairs?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΌχι, νομίζω ότι έπεσαν κάτω.Ochi, nomizo oti epesan kato.No, I think they fell down.
- Νίκος NikosΚοίτα κάτω από τον καναπέ.Koita kato apo ton kanape.Look down under the sofa.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΤα βρήκα! Είναι εδώ κάτω.Ta vrHka! Einai edo kato.I found them! They are down here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “down” translations and entries κάτω, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
