σηκώνομαι
sikónomai
To get up in Greek is σηκώνομαι (sikónomai).
The verb is used to describe the act of rising from one's bed. While it can also be used to mean standing up from a chair, it is the standard verb used for rising from bed in the morning.
Meaning: to rise from one's bed (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word σηκώνομαι is a reflexive form of the verb σηκώνω, which means to lift. Literally, it means 'I lift myself'.
How do you pronounce it?
sikónomai
Did you know?
- The verb σηκώνω can also be used in a slang context to mean 'to steal' or 'to lift' an object from a store without paying.
- Greek uses the middle voice for σηκώνομαι, a grammatical feature that indicates the action is performed by the subject for their own benefit, which is rare in modern English.
- While 'get up' in English feels like a simple change of state, σηκώνομαι carries a sense of physical exertion, as if you are actively hoisting your weight upward.
Examples in context
- Σηκώνομαι συνήθως κατά τις οκτώ η ώρα.I usually get up around eight o'clock.This sentence shows how to use σηκώνομαι to talk about a routine time.Tatoeba #2455353 by mululatv, translation #9230241 by Nylez
- Τα πρωινά σηκώνομαι κατά τις οκτώ η ώρα.In the morning, I get up around eight o'clock.This sentence shows how to use σηκώνομαι to specify the morning.Tatoeba #2455357 by mululatv, translation #9227254 by Nylez
- Σηκώνομαι στις 6:30.I get up at 6:30.This sentence shows how to use σηκώνομαι with a specific time.Tatoeba #5606991 by Zeus, translation #262302 by CK
- Σηκωθείτε, παρακαλώPlease, get up.
- Σηκώσου, φίλε/φίληGet up, my friend.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kyriaki and Kostas are talking about their morning routines.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠότε σηκώνομαι αν έχω ρεπό;Pote sikonomai an echo repo?When do I get up if I have a day off?
- Κώστας KostasΣυνήθως σηκώνεσαι πολύ αργά.Synithos sikonesai poly arga.Usually you get up very late.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΔεν είναι αλήθεια, Κώστα!Den einai alithia, Kosta!That's not true, Kostas!
- Κώστας KostasΕίναι αλήθεια, Κυριάκη.Einai alithia, Kyriaki.It is true, Kyriaki.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “get up” translations and entries σηκώνομαι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
