καλός
kalós/kaˈlos/
The Greek word for good is καλός (kalós).
The adjective καλός is used to describe something as pleasant or enjoyable.
Meaning: pleasant, enjoyable (adj)
Which one should you use?
While καλός is used to describe a good result as a noun, the word αγαθό is used specifically when referring to an item of merchandise.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some areas of Greece, particularly in Crete, the greeting Χαίρετε is used to mean Hello or Good day.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective καλός must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use καλή for feminine singular nouns, καλό for neuter singular nouns, καλοί for masculine plural nouns, καλές for feminine plural nouns and καλά for neuter plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
Pronounced /kaˈlos/ (kalós).
When do people say it?
The expression Γεια σου is an informal way to say Hi or Hello.
Did you know?
- The English word 'calligraphy' shares a distant root with καλός through the Greek καλλιγραφία, where καλός provides the 'beauty' part of 'beautiful writing'.
- While καλός means 'good', its ancient roots were actually centered on the idea of 'beauty'. To the Ancient Greeks, something was 'good' primarily because it was aesthetically and morally beautiful.
- In Greek, calling someone καλός άνθρωπος can sometimes be a backhanded compliment, implying the person is naive or too trusting.
Examples in context
- Ελπίζω να σαι καλός.I hope that you are good.This sentence shows how to use καλός to express a wish about someone's well-being.Tatoeba #7763200 by eypros, translation #669696 by qdii
- Ο δρόμος είναι καλός;Is the road good?This sentence uses καλός to ask about the quality of a road.Tatoeba #2778930 by glavkos, translation #9248767 by Nylez
- Είσαι καλός στο τένις;Are you good at tennis?This sentence uses καλός to ask about someone's skill at a sport.Tatoeba #7884134 by amoeba, translation #39405 by xtofu80
- 83 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia and Giorgos are talking about a movie they just watched.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΉταν καλός ο ταινία;Itan kalos o tainia?Was the movie good?
- Γιώργος GiorgosΝαι, ήταν πραγματικά πολύ καλός.Nai, itan pragmatika poly kalos.Yes, it was really very good.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΜου αρέσει ο καλός ήχος στην ταινία.Mou aresei o kalos ichos stin tainia.I like the good sound in the movie.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΣυμφωνώ, ήταν μια καλός επιλογή.Symfnoo, itan mia kalos epilogi.I agree, it was a good choice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good” translations and entries καλός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries καλός, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
