πάπια
pápiafeminine
In Greek, the word for duck is πάπια (pápia). Wiktionary also lists νήσσα (níssa).
Meaning: aquatic bird of the family Anatidae (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| πάπια | pápia | feminine | |
| νήσσα | níssa | /ˈni.sa/ | feminine |
The term πάπια is used to refer to the aquatic bird of the family Anatidae. You may also encounter the diminutive form παπάκι.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form νήσσα is extremely rare or dialectal. In modern standard Greek, πάπια is the standard term.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word πάπια is a feminine noun. The genitive singular form, used to mean 'of the duck', is της πάπιας.
How do you pronounce it?
pápia
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using νήσσα to mean duck, as it is extremely rare in modern standard Greek and may be confused with words related to an island (νήσος). Use πάπια instead.
Did you know?
- The rare word νήσσα is a 'learned borrowing' from Ancient Greek, meaning it was reintroduced into the language by scholars rather than evolving naturally through speech.
- Because πάπια is a feminine noun, the adjective used to describe a duck must also be feminine, regardless of the bird's actual biological sex.
Examples in context
- Μια πάπια μα ποια πάπια, μια πάπια με παπιά.A duck, but which duck? A duck with ducklings.This sentence uses πάπια to demonstrate a wordplay regarding a duck and its ducklings.
- Η μικρή πάπια είναι άσχημη.The little duck is ugly.This sentence uses πάπια to describe a small duck.Tatoeba #11162479 by carlosalberto, translation #11162478 by carlosalberto
- Τα παπάκια στη λίμνη είναι πολύ γλυκά.The ducks at the lake are very cute.
Example conversation
Anastasia and Nikos are walking in a park.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΚοίτα, Νίκο, μια όμορφη πάπια!Koita, Niko, mia omorfi papia!Look, Nikos, a beautiful duck!
- Νίκος NikosΠού είναι. Δεν τη βλέπω.Pou einai? Den ti vlepo.Where is it? I don't see it.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕίναι εκεί δίπλα στο νερό.Einai ekei dipla sto nero.It is right there by the water.
- Νίκος NikosΑλήθεια, είναι πολύ χαριτωμένη η πάπια.Alitheia, einai poly charitomeni i papia.True, the duck is very cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “duck” translations and entries πάπια, νήσσα, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries νήσσα, πάπια, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
