μαλλιά
malliá/maˈʎa/neuter
The Greek word for hair is μαλλιά (malliá). Wiktionary also lists μαλλί (mallí).
Meaning: mass of such filaments on the human head (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| μαλλιά | malliá | /maˈʎa/ | neuter |
| μαλλί | mallí | /maˈli/ | neuter |
The term is used to refer to the mass of filaments found on a human head.
Which one should you use?
The singular form μαλλί refers to a single strand of hair, whereas the plural form μαλλιά is used to refer to the hair on someone's head as a whole.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the hair on a person's head, the word is almost always used in its plural form μαλλιά. The singular form μαλλί is reserved for a single strand.
How do you pronounce it?
malliá (/maˈʎa/)
Did you know?
- The word μαλλί is the same word Greeks use for 'wool'. This is because the word is derived from the Ancient Greek μαλλός meaning 'wool'.
- If you accidentally use the singular μαλλί while talking about your hairstyle, you might sound like you are obsessed with a single, lonely hair.
- Unlike English, where 'hair' is often uncountable, Greek treats μαλλιά as a plural noun that requires plural adjectives and verbs.
Examples in context
- Έβαψες τα μαλλιά σου;Did you dye your hair?This sentence is useful for asking if someone dyed their μαλλιά.Tatoeba #5470681 by Zeus, translation #4533376 by CK
- Χτενίζω τα μαλλιά μου.I am brushing my hair.This sentence is useful for describing the action of brushing one's μαλλιά.Tatoeba #7579681 by amoeba, translation #1661133 by Amastan
- Ο Τομ έχει μαύρα μαλλιά.Tom has black hair.This sentence is useful for describing the color of someone's μαλλιά.Tatoeba #5591402 by Zeus, translation #2548601 by CK
- 67 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giorgos and Eleni are talking about a new haircut.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΈκοβες τα μαλλιά σου;Ekoves ta mallia sou?Did you cut your hair?
- Ελένη EleniΝαι, ήθελα κάτι πιο κοντό.Nai, ithela kati pio konto.Yes, I wanted something shorter.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΣου ταιριάζουν πολύ τα μαλλιά έτσι.Sou teriazoun poly ta mallia etsi.Your hair looks great like that on you.
- Ελένη EleniΕυχαριστώ, Γιώργο!Efcharisto, Giorgo!Thank you, Giorgos!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hair” translations and entries μαλλιά, μαλλί, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries μαλλί, μαλλιά, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
