αυτί
aftí/aˈfti/
The Greek word for ear is αυτί (aftí).
αυτί is used to refer to the organ of hearing.
Meaning: organ of hearing (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is αυτί. To indicate possession (of the ear), use the genitive singular form αυτιού. If you are referring to more than one ear, the plural form is αυτιά.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is aftí. The IPA is /aˈfti/.
Did you know?
- In Greek, if you say someone is 'having big ears' (μεγάλα αυτιά), it does not necessarily mean they are physically large-eared, but can imply they are prone to gossip or eavesdropping.
- The term αυτιά is used in Greek to describe the handles of certain types of traditional pottery, treating the vessel's handles as 'ears'.
- Greek medical terminology for the ear, such as 'otology', actually shares the same ancient Greek root as the everyday word αυτί.
Examples in context
- Με τρώει τ' αυτί μου.My ear is itching.This sentence is useful for expressing that your αυτί is itching.Tatoeba #5423699 by Zeus, translation #332214 by TRANG
- Κρατήστε το αυτί σας καθαρό.Keep your ear clean.
- Του έπιασε το αυτί.He grabbed his ear.
- Έχω μια πληγή στο αυτί μου.Ékho mia plighí sto aftí mou.I have a wound on my ear.
Example conversation
Nikos tells Kyriaki about a sudden pain.
- Νίκος NikosΚυριακή, με πονάει το αυτί μου.Kyriáki, me ponáei to autí mou.Kyriaki, my ear hurts.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠοιο αυτί σε πονάει, Νίκο;Poio autí se ponáei, Níko?Which ear hurts you, Nikos?
- Νίκος NikosΤο αριστερό μου αυτί.To aristeró mou autí.My left ear.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠρέπει να πας στον γιατρό.Prépei na pas ston giatró.You should go to the doctor.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry αυτί, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
