τύπος
týpos/ˈti.pos/
The Greek word for 'guy' is τύπος (týpos).
τύπος is used to refer to a man or a male. While it can be used to describe a man, it often carries a connotation of describing a man's specific personality, character or 'vibe'.
Meaning: male, man (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, τύπος means 'type', 'model' or 'character'.
Which one should you use?
While τύπος refers to a specific 'type' of guy or a particular man, the word άνθρωπος is the neutral term used for a person or human being.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
τύπος is an informal way to refer to a man, similar to how 'guy' is used in English. For more casual or youthful contexts, you might encounter Αγόρι, which means 'boy' but can refer to a young guy or Παιδί, which means 'child' but can be used for a young guy or even anyone in an affectionate or casual way.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of τύπος is τύποι.
How do you pronounce it?
týpos (ˈti.pos). The word has two syllables and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word τύπος is a distant linguistic cousin to the English word 'typography', as both share the same ancient root regarding a 'stamp' or 'impression'.
- Despite the word's ancient roots, the modern colloquial use of τύπος to mean 'a guy' is actually a semantic loan from the French word for 'type'.
- If you call someone a τύπος in a high-end boutique, they might think you are talking about a specific 'type' of garment or a 'model' of clothing rather than a person.
Examples in context
- Ο Τομ είναι ελκυστικός τύπος.Tom is an attractive guy.This sentence shows how to use τύπος to describe someone as an attractive guy.Tatoeba #5534708 by Zeus, translation #5440929 by CK
- Εκείνος ο τύπος είναι απατεώνας.That guy is a crook.This sentence shows how to use τύπος to describe someone as a crook.Tatoeba #7326386 by amoeba, translation #1700097 by CM
- Τι παράξενος τύπος!What a strange guy!This sentence shows how to use τύπος to describe someone as a strange guy.Tatoeba #5426929 by Zeus, translation #1543540 by JimBreen
- Αυτός ο τύπος είναι πολύ αστείος.This guy is very funny.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kyriaki asks Giorgos about a man she saw at the gym.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠοιος είναι εκείνος ο τύπος στο γυμναστήριο;Poios einai ekeinos o typos sto gymnastirio?Who is that guy at the gym?
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίναι ένας φίλος μου από τη σχολή.Einai enas filos mou apo ti scholi.He is a friend of mine from school.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΦαίνεται πολύ φιλικός τύπος.Fainetai poly filikos typos.He seems like a very friendly guy.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΝαι, είναι πραγματικά πολύ sympa.Nai, einai pragmatika poly sympa.Yes, he is actually very nice.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry τύπος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries τύπος, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
