ζηλόφθονος
zilófthonosmasculine
The Greek word for jealous is ζηλόφθονος (zilófthonos). Wiktionary also lists φθονερός (fthonerós).
Meaning: envious, feeling resentful of someone for a perceived advantage, material or otherwise (adj)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ζηλόφθονος | zilófthonos | masculine |
| φθονερός | fthonerós |
The term is used to describe someone who is envious or feeling resentful toward another person for a perceived advantage, whether material or otherwise.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ζηλόφθονος is a compound of ζήλος, meaning zeal or envy and φθόνος, meaning envy or malice.
Which one should you use?
While ζηλόφθονος focuses on the feeling of envy, the related form φθονερός is used to describe a person whose nature is characterized as being malicious or spiteful.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form is ζηλόφθονος, and the feminine form is ζηλόφθονα.
How do you pronounce it?
zilófthonos
Did you know?
- In Greek culture, the 'Evil Eye' is often believed to be powered by φθόνος, making the feeling of jealousy a perceived physical danger to others.
- The word ζήλος is the direct ancestor of the English word 'zeal', showing how a word for envy evolved into a word for passion.
- Ancient Greeks distinguished between ζηλία and φθόνος, where the first was a desire to possess what another has and the second was a wish that the other person lose it.
Examples in context
- Η Άννα νιώθει φθόνο για την επιτυχία της Αθηνάς.Anna feels jealous of Athena's success.
- Ο Πέτρος είναι ένας ζηλιάρης ρε φίλε!Petros is such a jealous guy, my friend!
Example conversation
Nikos and Anastasia are talking about a coworker's promotion.
- Νίκος NikosΟ Μάνος είναι ζηλόφθονος για τη προαγωγή σου.O Manos einai ziloftonos gia ti proagogi sou.Manos is jealous of your promotion.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΓιατί πιστεύεις ότι είναι έτσι, Νίκο;Giati pisteueis oti einai etsi, Niko?Why do you think he is like that, Nikos?
- Νίκος NikosΜε κοίταξε περίεργα όταν το έμαθα.Me koitaxe perierga otan to ematha.He looked at me strangely when I found out.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΔεν με νοιάζει αν είναι ζηλόφθονος.Den me noiazei an einai ziloftonos.I don't care if he is jealous.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jealous” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
