ήρωας
íroasmasculine
The Greek word for hero is ήρωας (íroas).
ήρωας is used to describe a person of great bravery.
Meaning: person of great bravery (verb)
Which one should you use?
While ήρωας refers to a hero in a grand or literal sense, the colloquial term παλληκάρι is used to praise a young man's bravery or spirit.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ήρωας is ήρωες. When the word acts as the direct object of a verb, it changes from ήρωας to ήρωα.
How do you pronounce it?
íroas
Did you know?
- Greek has a specific tradition of 'hero cults' where a ήρωας was worshipped at a local shrine to protect a specific city or family.
- In Ancient Greek, a ἥρως was not always a person of pure good, but often a semi-divine figure who could be dangerous or even vengeful.
- The word παλληκάρι can also be used as a friendly term of endearment between men, similar to 'lad' or 'buddy' in English.
Examples in context
- Ο Τομ δεν είναι ήρωας.Tom isn't a hero.This sentence shows how to negate the word ήρωας.Tatoeba #5523426 by Zeus, translation #5471567 by CK
- Αυτός είναι ο ήρωας μου.He's my hero.This sentence shows how to use ήρωας to express personal admiration.Tatoeba #2307230 by learngreek, translation #2306672 by Hybrid
- Το παλληκάρι σας είναι πραγματικός ήρωας.Your fella is a real hero.This sentence illustrates using ήρωας to describe someone as a real hero.Tatoeba #10059616 by Nylez, translation #10080767 by Nylez
- Ο ἥρως της Ελλάδας.The hero of Greece.
- Ένας πραγματικός ἥρως.A real hero.
- Ο ποδοσφαιριστής είναι ένας ήρωας για εμάς.The football player is a hero to us.
- Ο πυροσβέστης έγινε ήρωας για την κοινότητα.The firefighter became a hero for the community.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nikos and Maria are watching a movie together.
- Νίκος NikosΚοιτάξτε τον, είναι πραγματικός ήρωας!Koitáxte ton, eínai pragmatikós íroas!Look at him, he is a real hero!
- Μαρία MariaΝαι, έσωσε όλους τους ανθρώπους.Nai, ésose ólous tous anthrópous.Yes, he saved all the people.
- Νίκος NikosΘα ήθελα να γίνω τέτοιος ήρωας.Tha íthela na gíno tétiois íroas.I would like to be such a hero.
- Μαρία MariaΕίσαι ήρωας και για μένα, Νίκο.Eísai íroas kai gia ména, Níko.You are a hero to me too, Nikos.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hero” translations and entries ήρωας, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
