What does it mean word for word?
ἐς means 'to' or 'into', and κόρακας is the accusative plural of κόραξ, 'crow' or 'raven', so the phrase literally sends someone off to be eaten by scavenger birds.
Which one should you use?
A related curse, βάλλ᾽ ἐς κόρακας, adds the verb 'throw' or 'go', making the dismissal even more forceful, roughly 'throw yourself to the crows'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This is an informal, rude expression, used in comedy and everyday insult rather than in formal or respectful speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase is especially common in Athenian comedy, used repeatedly by Aristophanes as a sharp dismissal between characters.
How does it change in a sentence?
The accusative case after ἐς shows direction, 'into' or 'toward' the crows, the normal pattern for motion toward something in Greek.
How do you pronounce it?
κόρακας stresses the first syllable, with the κ as a hard k and the final ς pronounced as a clear s.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Translating this too literally as a simple statement about birds misses the point. It functions entirely as an insult, equivalent to telling someone to get lost.
When do people say it?
The curse reflects the ancient Greek horror of an unburied body, since a corpse left exposed to scavengers was denied a proper funeral, one of the worst fates imaginable.
Did you know?
- The playwright Aristophanes uses ἐς κόρακας repeatedly in his comedies, making it one of the best attested insults from classical Athens.
- The curse plays on the ancient fear of being left unburied, since crows and other scavengers were associated with the fate of a corpse denied proper burial rites.
Examples in context
- ἄπελθε ἐς κόρακας.apelthe es korakas.Go to the crows, get out of here.
- βάλλ᾽ ἐς κόρακας, ὦ ἄνθρωπε.ball' es korakas, o anthrope.Go to hell, man.
- ἴθι ἐς κόρακας μετὰ τῆς βοῆς σου.ithi es korakas meta tes boes sou.Go to the crows with your shouting.
Example conversation
In a comedy scene, Strepsiades argues with a rude neighbor named Pheidon.
- Pheidonδός μοι τὸ ἀργύριον.dos moi to argyrion.Give me the money.
- Strepsiadesβάλλ᾽ ἐς κόρακας.ball' es korakas.Go to hell.
- Pheidonτί λέγεις, ὦ ἄνθρωπε?ti legeis, o anthrope?What are you saying, man?
- Strepsiadesἄπελθε ἐς κόρακας ἤδη.apelthe es korakas ede.Go to the crows already.
