υγεία
ygeía/iˈʝi.a/feminine
The Greek word for health is υγεία (ygeía).
υγεία is a noun used to describe the state of being free from physical or psychological disease, illness or malfunction.
Meaning: state of being free of physical or psychological disease, illness, or malfunction (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun υγεία is feminine. When you need the genitive form to express 'of health' (for example, in possessive constructions like 'health of the person'), use υγείας.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the second syllable. It is pronounced /iˈʝi.a/.
Did you know?
- The word υγεία is used in the common phrase υγεία σας, which is used as a polite reply when someone sneezes.
- In Ancient Greek, the concept of health was personified by the goddess 'Hygeia', who was the daughter of Asclepius, the god of medicine.
- The word υγεία shares a common ancestor with the English word 'hygiene', which is why we use the same root to describe both cleanliness and health.
Examples in context
- Το σκόρδο κάνει καλό στην υγεία.Garlic is good for one's health.Tatoeba #5309372 by Zeus, translation #5309373 by Luornu
- Το κάπνισμα κάνει κακό στην υγεία.Smoking is bad for your health.Tatoeba #2369292 by mululatv, translation #40661 by CK
- Το κάπνισμα βλάπτει την υγεία σας.Smoking is harmful for your health.Tatoeba #7347803 by amoeba, translation #4300507 by Lindoula
- Υγεία σου!Cheers!/To your health!
- Σας εύχομαι ταχεία ανάρρωση.I wish you a speedy recovery.
- Ο θείος μου είναι σε καλή υγεία.My uncle is in good health.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giorgos and Maria are talking about starting a new diet.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΠρέπει να προσέξουμε την υγεία μας.Prepei na proseksoume tin ygeia mas.We need to take care of our health.
- Μαρία MariaΈχεις δίκιο, Γιώργο. Ας φάμε περισσότερα φρούτα.Echeis dikio, Giorgo. As fame perissoterous frouta.You are right, Giorgos. Let's eat more fruit.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΗ καλή υγεία είναι το πιο σημαντικό πράγμα.I kali ygeia einai to pio simantikotero pragma.Good health is the most important thing.
- Μαρία MariaΣυμφωνώ απόλυτα, Μαρία το είπε κι αυτής.Simfono apolyta, Maria to eipe ki aftis.I completely agree, Maria said it too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “health” translations and entries υγεία, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries υγεία, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
