κισσός
kissósmasculine
The Greek word for ivy is κισσός (kissós).
κισσός refers to a plant of the genus Hedera.
Meaning: plant of the genus Hedera (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kissós.
Did you know?
- In the ancient world, ivy crowns made of κισσός were sometimes worn as a sign of sobriety or as an alternative to the grape vine.
- In ancient Greek poetry, κισσός was often used as a metaphor for a lover's clingy and passionate nature due to the way the plant grips surfaces.
- Because κισσός remains green throughout the winter, ancient Greeks viewed the plant as a symbol of immortality and eternal life.
Examples in context
- Ο κισσός καλύπτει τον τοίχο.O kissós kalýpei ton toícho.The ivy covers the wall.
Example conversation
Kostas and Kyriaki are walking in a garden.
- Κώστας KostasΚυριακή, κοίτα αυτόν τον κισσό!Kyriaki, koíta aftón ton kissó!Kyriaki, look at this ivy!
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕίναι πολύ πυκνός ο κισσός.Eínai polý pyknós o kissós.The ivy is very thick.
- Κώστας KostasΜου αρέσει το χρώμα του.Mou arései to chróma tou.I like its color.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΚι εμένα μου αρέσει πολύ.Ki eména mou arései polý.I like it a lot too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ivy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
