χαλάζι
chalázi/xaˈla.zi/neuter
In Greek, the word for hail is χαλάζι (chalázi).
The word χαλάζι refers to balls of ice. When you want to say that it is currently hailing, you use the phrase πέφτει χαλάζι, which means "hail is falling".
Meaning: balls of ice (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun χαλάζι is a neuter noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced cha-LA-zi. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The term χαλάζι has remained remarkably stable from the Ancient Greek χάλαζα through the Koine and Byzantine periods to the present day.
- In Greek, the word χαλάζι is used colloquially to describe a very sudden, overwhelming amount of anything, such as a 'hail' of criticisms or complaints.
- In Greek literature, 'a hail of bullets' is often translated using the word σφυροκοπή (a hammering/pounding) rather than the literal χαλάζι, to emphasize the physical impact.
Examples in context
- Tα βόλια έπεφταν χαλάζι.A hail of bullets.This sentence shows how χαλάζι can be used in a figurative sense to describe a hail of bullets.
- Χαίρετε, κύριε Πρόεδρε.Hello, Mr. President
- Χαίρετε, κύριε Υπουργέ.Hello, Minister
- Γεια! Τι κάνεις;Hello! How are you?
- Γεια σου! Όλα καλά, ευχαριστώ.Hello! Everything is fine, thank you.
- Το χαλάζι έσπασε τα τζάμια.To chalazi espase ta tzamia.The hail broke the windows.
Example conversation
Nikos and Anastasia are looking out the window during a storm.
- Νίκος NikosΚοίτα, άρχισε να πέφτει χαλάζι!Koíta, árchise na péfti chalázi!Look, it started to hail!
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕίναι πολύ μεγάλα τα σβόλια.Eínai polý megála ta svólia.The hailstones are very big.
- Νίκος NikosΠρέπει να φέρουμε το αυτοκίνητο μέσα.Prépei na féroume to aftokínito mésa.We should bring the car inside.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΈχεις δίκιο, πάμε γρήγορα.Écheis díkio, páme grígora.You are right, let's go quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hail” translations and entries χαλάζι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries χαλάζι, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
