Ινδός
Indós/inˈðos/
The Greek word for 'Indian' is Ινδός (Indós).
Ινδός is used to refer to things or people related to India. It can function as a noun meaning an Indian man or as a masculine adjective describing something of Indian origin.
Meaning: of India (adj)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between different types of 'Indian'. Use Ινδός for people or things from India, but use Ινδιάνος when referring to Native Americans (indigenous peoples of the Americas).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form Ινδός can be used as both a noun and an adjective. When referring specifically to a woman from India, use the feminine noun Ινδή. For Native Americans, use the masculine noun or adjective Ινδιάνος.
How do you pronounce it?
Indós is pronounced /inˈðos/.
Did you know?
- The term Ινδός has been used in Greek since the time of Alexander the Great. His campaigns in the 4th century BC brought the word into the Greek lexicon as he reached the borders of India.
- The word Ινδός actually traveled through Old Persian before reaching Ancient Greek, originating from the term for the Indus river.
- Ancient Greeks used the word Ινδός to describe not just people from modern India, but anyone living in the vast, mysterious lands beyond the Indus River.
Examples in context
- Ο Δρ. Πατέλης είναι Ινδός.Dr. Patel is Indian.
- Αυτή είναι μια ινδική συνήθεια.This is an Indian tradition.
Example conversation
George and Eleni are discussing a new colleague.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΓνώρισες τον νέο συνάδελφο;Gnórises ton néo synádelfo?Did you meet the new colleague?
- Ελένη EleniΝαι, είναι Ινδός και είναι πολύ ευγενικός.Nai, eínai Indós kai eínai polý evgenikós.Yes, he is Indian and he is very polite.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΑπό ποια πόλη είναι;Apó pia póli eínai?Which city is he from?
- Ελένη EleniΜου είπε ότι είναι από το Μουμπάι.Mou eípe óti eínai apó to Moubái.He told me that he is from Mumbai.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Ινδός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Ινδός, CC BY-SA 4.0.
