καλό Σάββατο
kaló Sávvato
In Greek, the phrase for happy sabbath is καλό Σάββατο (kaló Sávvato).
καλό Σάββατο is used to wish someone a pleasant day of rest on the Sabbath in a religious context, but it is also the standard secular way to say "Have a good Saturday".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective καλό (good) and the noun Σάββατο (Saturday/Sabbath).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective καλό is in the neuter singular form to agree with the neuter noun Σάββατο.
How do you pronounce it?
kaló Sávvato
Did you know?
- Greek is one of the few European languages that maintained the Hebrew root for Saturday without replacing it with a word based on the Roman god Saturn.
- In traditional Greek Orthodox contexts, the 'Sabbath' of Holy Week is treated as a day of profound mourning rather than a happy day of rest.
- The word Σάββατο comes from the Hebrew word 'shabbat', which literally means 'to cease' or 'to rest'.
Examples in context
- Καλό Σάββατο σε όλους.Kaló Sávvato se ólous.Happy Sabbath to everyone.
- Σας εύχομαι καλό Σάββατο.Sas éfchomai kaló Sávvato.I wish you a happy Sabbath.
- Καλό Σάββατο, φίλε μου.Kaló Sávvato, fíle mou.Happy Sabbath, my friend.
Example conversation
Two friends meet at the entrance of a church.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΓεια σου Δημήτρη, καλό Σάββατο!Geia sou Dimítri, kaló Sávvato!Hello Dimitris, happy Sabbath!
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΓεια σου Κυριακή, και το ίδιο σε σένα.Geia sou Kyriakí, kai to ídio se séna.Hello Kyriaki, and the same to you.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕίμαστε έτοιμοι να μπούμε μέσα;Eímaste étoimoi na μπούμε mésa?Are we ready to go inside?
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΝαι, ας πάμε τώρα.Nai, as páme tóra.Yes, let's go now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Σάββατο, CC BY-SA 4.0.
