εχθρός
echthrós/exˈθɾos/masculine
The Greek word for enemy is εχθρός (echthrós).
εχθρός refers to someone who is hostile toward, feels hatred towards, opposes the interests of or intends injury to someone else.
Meaning: someone who is hostile to, feels hatred towards, opposes the interests of, or intends injury to someone else (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
εχθρός is a masculine noun. Its nominative singular form is εχθρός, the plural form is εχθροί and the genitive singular form used to indicate possession or 'of the enemy' is εχθρού.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is echthrós.
Did you know?
- In Modern Greek, the word εχθρός can be used to describe a disease or an illness as if it were a sentient enemy attacking the body.
- Ancient Greek plays often depicted the 'enemy' not as a human, but as an inescapable divine force or a cruel fate.
- The root of εχθρός is related to the idea of 'having' or 'holding', suggesting an enemy is someone you 'hold' a grudge against.
Examples in context
- Ο εχθρός τους επιτίθεται.Their enemy attacks.This sentence shows how to use εχθρός when describing an enemy attacking.Tatoeba #2836352 by glavkos, translation #9307236 by Nylez
- Ξέρω ποιος είναι ο εχθρός μου.I know who my enemy is.This sentence demonstrates using εχθρός to identify one's enemy.Tatoeba #5398569 by Zeus, translation #695242 by Zifre
- Ο εχθρός μας επιτέθηκε την νύχτα.The enemy attacked us at night.This sentence illustrates the use of εχθρός in the context of a nighttime attack.Tatoeba #7795287 by janMiso, translation #278686 by CK
- Ο εχθρός μου είναι πολύ δυνατός.My enemy is very strong.
- Η χώρα έχει πολλούς εχθρούς.The country has many enemies.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia and Giorgos are discussing a difficult rival at work.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΔεν τον συμπαθώ, είναι σαν εχθρός μου.Den ton sympatho, einai san echthros mou.I don't like him, he is like an enemy of mine.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΓιατί το πιστεύεις αυτό, Αναστασία;Giati to pistevis afto, Anastasia?Why do you believe that, Anastasia?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΠροσπαθεί πάντα να με κάνει να αποτύχω.Prospathei panta na me kanei na apotycho.He always tries to make me fail.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΤότε πράγματι είναι ένας δύσκολος εχθρός.Tote pragmati einai enas dyskolos echthros.Then he really is a difficult enemy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “enemy” translations and entries εχθρός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
