Ιανουάριος
Ianouários/i.a.nuˈa.ɾi.os/masculine
January is the first month of the Gregorian calendar in Greek, and is called Ιανουάριος (Ianouários). Wiktionary also lists Γενάρης (Genáris).
Meaning: first month of the Gregorian calendar (name)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ιανουάριος | Ianouários | /i.a.nuˈa.ɾi.os/ | masculine |
| Γενάρης | Genáris | /ʝeˈna.ɾis/ | colloquial, masculine |
The term is used to refer to the first month of the year.
Which one should you use?
Ιανουάριος is the standard name for the month, while Γενάρης is a colloquial alternative.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Ιανουάριος is the formal way to say January, whereas Γενάρης is an informal or colloquial term.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a masculine noun, Ιανουάριος is typically preceded by the masculine definite article ο when used as a subject. To indicate possession or 'of January', the word changes to the genitive form Ιανουαρίου.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /i.a.nuˈa.ɾi.os/. It has 6 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable.
When do people say it?
In Greece, the cutting of the Vasilopita is a common New Year's tradition.
Did you know?
- Even though Γενάρης sounds remarkably like the Greek word for 'birth', the two are completely unrelated linguistically.
- Unlike many Greek words that evolved naturally over centuries, Ιανουάριος is a 'learned' loanword adopted consciously from Latin.
- In Greek, the distinction between the formal Ιανουάριος and the colloquial Γενάρης is much sharper than the distinction between 'January' and its variations in English.
Examples in context
- Ο Ιανουάριος είναι ο μήνας μου.January is my month.This sentence uses Ιανουάριος to show how to state that January is one's month.Tatoeba #11466109 by carlosalberto, translation #11466081 by carlosalberto
- Ο Ιανουάριος είναι ο πρώτος μήνας του χρόνου.January is the first month of the year.This sentence uses Ιανουάριος to identify January as the first month of the year.Tatoeba #1412501 by enteka, translation #27821 by CK
- Ο Ιανουάριος είναι πολύ κρύος στην Ελλάδα.O Ianouários einai polý kríos stin Elláda.January is very cold in Greece.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their upcoming travel plans.
- Ελένη EleniΘέλεις να πάμε διακοπές τον Ιανουάριο;Théleis na páme diakopés ton Ianouário;Do you want to go on vacation in January?
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΜάλλον είναι καλύτερα τον Μάιο.Mállon einai kalýtera ton Máio.It is probably better in May.
- Ελένη EleniΟ Ιανουάριος είναι πολύ δύσκολος μήνας.O Ianouários einai polý dýskolos mínas.January is a very difficult month.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΈχεις δίκιο, Ελένη.Écheis díkio, Eléni.You are right, Eleni.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “January” translations and entries Ιανουάριος, Γενάρης, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Γενάρης, Ιανουάριος, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
