γόνατο
gónato[ˈɣɔnatɔ]neuter
The Greek word for knee is γόνατο (gónato).
The word refers to the joint in the middle of the leg and the area surrounding it.
Meaning: joint in the middle of the leg and area around it (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun γόνατο is neuter. Its plural form is γόνατα.
How do you pronounce it?
gónato
Did you know?
- The modern word γόνατο is actually a back-formation from its own plural form γόνατα.
- The Greek word γόνατο is a cognate of the English word 'genu', which is used in medical terms like 'genu valgum' to describe knock-knees.
- In some Greek idioms, the phrase 'to have the knees shaking' τρέμουν τα γόνατα describes not just physical fear but an overwhelming sense of nervousness or anxiety.
Examples in context
- Πονάει το γόνατό μου.My knee hurts.
- Είχες χτυπήσει το γόνυ σου;Did you hurt your knee?
- Έπεσες στο γονάτο σου;Did you fall on your knee?
- Το γόνατο πονάει πολύ.To gonato ponai poli.The knee hurts a lot.
- Έχω ένα σημάδι στο γόνατο.Echo ena simadi sto gonato.I have a mark on my knee.
Example conversation
Dimitris and Maria are talking about a sports injury.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΜαρία, κοίτα το γόνατό μου!Maria, koita to gonato mou!Maria, look at my knee!
- Μαρία MariaΤι έγινε στο γόνατο, Δημήτρη;Ti egine sto gonato, Dimitri?What happened to your knee, Dimitris?
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΈπεσα τρέχοντας στο γήπεδο.Epesa trehontas sto ghipedo.I fell while running on the field.
- Μαρία MariaΠρέπει να δει ένας γιατρός το γόνατο.Prepei na dei enas giatros to gonato.A doctor needs to see the knee.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “knee” translations and entries γόνατο, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries γόνατο, CC BY-SA 4.0.
