νησί
nisíneuter
The Greek word for island is νησί (nisí). If unsure, use νησί. Wiktionary also lists νήσος (nísos).
Meaning: area of land completely surrounded by water (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| νησί | nisí | neuter |
| νήσος | nísos | feminine, formal |
Both νησί and νήσος refer to an area of land completely surrounded by water. You can also use the related verb απομονώνω to mean isolate.
Which one should you use?
While both words mean island, νησί is the common, everyday term used in conversation, whereas νήσος is more formal or technical.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
νησί is the common term for everyday speech. νήσος is a formal or technical term. For an endearing way to refer to a small island, you can use the informal diminutive νησίκι.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the common neuter noun νησί is νησιά, but in the genitive case, such as when saying 'of the islands', it becomes νησιών. An inhabitant of an island is called a νησιώτης.
How do you pronounce it?
nisí
Did you know?
- In Greek culture, saying someone lives on a νησί can imply they follow a slower, more relaxed lifestyle than those on the mainland.
- The Greek word νησί is a direct descendant of the Koine Greek word νησίον, which was used in the New Testament.
- The formal νήσος is so rare in speech that using it in a casual setting might make a speaker sound like they are reading from a textbook or an ancient poem.
Examples in context
- Η Κρήτη είναι νησί.Crete is an island.This sentence illustrates the use of the common neuter form νησί to identify Crete.Tatoeba #3576483 by Zeus, translation #8981414 by Nylez
- Πήραμε ένα πορθμείο από το νησί στην ενδοχώρα.We took a ferry from the island to the mainland.This sentence shows how to use νησί when describing travel from an island to the mainland.Tatoeba #7810654 by eypros, translation #22795 by CK
- Ο Τομ επιβίωσε επί τρία χρόνια σε ένα μικρό νησί στον Ειρηνικό Ωκεανό.Tom survived for three years on a small island in the Pacific Ocean.This sentence demonstrates using νησί to describe a small island in the Pacific Ocean.Tatoeba #7764271 by eypros, translation #6229521 by CK
- Τα ελληνικά νησιά είναι εκπληκτικά!Greek islands are amazing!
- Αύριο θα επισκεφτούμε ένα όμορφο νησί.Tomorrow we will visit a beautiful island.
- Περάσαμε υπέροχα σε ένα μικρό νησίκι του Αιγαίου.We had a blast on a small island in the Aegean Sea.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nikos and Anastasia are planning their summer vacation.
- Νίκος NikosΘέλεις να πάμε σε ένα νησί φέτος;Theleis na pame se ena nisi fetos?Do you want to go to an island this year?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝαι, προτιμώ ένα μικρό και ήσυχο νησί.Nai, protimo ena mikro kai isycho nisi.Yes, I prefer a small and quiet island.
- Νίκος NikosΠοιο νησί θα διαλέξουμε τότε;Poio nisi tha dialexoume tote?Which island shall we choose then?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΑς δούμε μερικές φωτογραφίες στο ίντερνετ.As doume merikes fotografies sto internet.Let's look at some photos on the internet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “island” translations and entries νησί, νήσος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries νήσος, νησί, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
