ηλίθιος
ilíthios/iˈli.θi.os/masculine
The English word "idiot" can be translated into Greek using ηλίθιος (ilíthios) or βλάκας.
Meaning: person of low general intelligence (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ηλίθιος | ilíthios | /iˈli.θi.os/ | masculine |
| βλάκας | vlákas | /ˈvla.kas/ | masculine |
Both terms are used to describe a person of low general intelligence.
Which one should you use?
βλάκας is more colloquial and common in everyday speech than the more formal ηλίθιος.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term ηλίθιος has a feminine form, ηλίθια. For the masculine form βλάκας, if it is used as a direct object in a sentence, it changes to βλάκα.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of ηλίθιος is /iˈli.θi.os/. It has four syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word βλάκας shares the same prehistoric ancestor as the English word 'mild', meaning both words describe something 'soft'.
- In modern Greek, ηλίθιος is frequently used to describe a person who is naive or easily tricked, rather than just someone with low intelligence.
Examples in context
- Με άλλα λόγια, είσαι βλάκας.In other words, you're an idiot.This sentence uses βλάκας.Tatoeba #2895755 by glavkos, translation #9210392 by Nylez
- Ο δασκαλός μας είναι ηλίθιος.Our teacher is a real idiot.This sentence uses ηλίθιος.Tatoeba #7272629 by amoeba, translation #1762636 by joyfie
- Είναι ένας ηλίθιος και δεν ακούει ποτέ.Einai enas ilithios kai den akouei pote.He is an idiot and never listens.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
George and Eleni are discussing a bad decision made by a friend.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΔεν μπορώ να πιστέψω ότι το έκανε αυτό.Den boró na pistépsó óti to ékane aftó.I can't believe he did that.
- Ελένη EleniΕίναι πραγματικά ηλίθιος που το προσπάθησε.Eínai pragmatiká ilíthios pou to prospáthise.He is truly an idiot for trying it.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΈχεις δίκαιο, ήταν πολύ κακό σχέδιο.Écheis díkaio, ítan polý kakó schédio.You are right, it was a very bad plan.
- Ελένη EleniΤώρα θα πρέπει να το διορθώσει.Tóra tha prépei na to diorthósei.Now he will have to fix it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “idiot” translations and entries ηλίθιος, βλάκας, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries βλάκας, ηλίθιος, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
