βλάκας
vlákas/ˈvla.kas/
The Greek word for dummy is βλάκας (vlákas).
In a literal sense, a dummy refers to a deliberately nonfunctional placeholder.
Meaning: a deliberately nonfunctional placeholder (noun)
Which one should you use?
Ηλίθιος is an informal term for a dummy, and the slang term Μαλάκας can be used for someone acting silly.
How do you pronounce it?
It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word βλάκας has a distant cousin in Sanskrit, the word mṛdú, which also means 'soft' or 'weak'.
- The word βλάκας is related to the Latin word mollis, meaning 'soft', which is the root of the English word 'mollify'.
- While βλάκας is a common word for 'dummy', the word μαλάκας is far more versatile and can range from a friendly greeting among close male friends to a severe insult depending on the tone.
Examples in context
- Χαχα, είσαι όντως ένας μεγάλος μασλακάς!Haha, you are indeed a big dummy!
Example conversation
Anastasia and Nikos are working on a software project.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝίκο, γιατί δεν λειτουργεί το κουμπί;Niko, giati den leptourgii to koumpi?Nikos, why isn't the button working?
- Νίκος NikosΕίναι απλώς ένας βλάκας για τη σχεδίαση.Einai aplous enas vlakas gia ti schediasi.It's just a dummy for the design.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΠότε θα μπει ο πραγματικός κώδικας;Pote tha mpi o pragmatikos kodikas?When will the real code be put in?
- Νίκος NikosΑύριο θα το αντικαταστήσω.Avrio tha to antikatastiso.I will replace it tomorrow.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry βλάκας, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries βλάκας, CC BY-SA 4.0.
