ιταλικός
italikós/i.ta.liˈkos/
The Greek word for Italian is ιταλικός (italikós).
ιταλικός is used as an adjective to describe things like language or culture.
Meaning: language (name)
Which one should you use?
While ιταλικός is the adjective used to describe things pertaining to Italy, you should use the noun Ιταλός when referring specifically to an Italian person.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective ιταλικός must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, such as the feminine noun γλώσσα (language), where you would use ιταλική. The plural feminine form of the adjective is ιταλικές.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /i.ta.liˈkos/. It has four syllables, and the stress is on the fourth syllable: italikós.
Did you know?
- In Greek, the word ιταλική describes the 'italian' language, but the word for 'tongue' is also γλώσσα. This means a Greek speaker refers to the language as the 'italian tongue'.
- The word ιταλικός comes from the Greek name for the country Ιταλία, which was borrowed from the Latin 'Italia'.
- The word ιταλικός uses the suffix -ικός, which is a direct relative of the English suffix '-ic', as seen in words like 'atomic' or 'classic'.
Examples in context
- Η ιταλική κουζίνα είναι πολύ δημοφιλής παγκοσμίως.Italian cuisine is very popular worldwide.
- Η γειτόνισσά μου είναι Ιταλίδα και είναι πολύ φιλόξενη.My neighbor is Italian and she is very hospitable.
- Πού γεννήθηκες στην Ιταλία;Where were you born in Italy?
- Το Ιταλικό φαγητό είναι το αγαπημένο μου!Italian food is my favorite!
- Είμαι λάτρης της Ιταλικής κουζίνας!I am a fan of Italian cuisine!
Example conversation
Eleni and Giorgos are discussing their travel plans.
- Ελένη EleniΠηγαίνουμε στην Ιταλία το καλοκαίρι.Pigaínoume stin Italía to kalokaíri.We are going to Italy in the summer.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΞέρεις ιταλικός, Ελένη;Xéreis italikós, Eléni?Do you know Italian, Eleni?
- Ελένη EleniΌχι, αλλά θα μάθω λίγο.Óchi, allá tha mátho lígo.No, but I will learn a little.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίναι πολύ χρήσιμο για τον ταξίδι.Eínai polý chrísimo gia ton taxídi.It is very useful for the trip.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ιταλικός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ιταλικός, CC BY-SA 4.0.
