κοιτάζω
koitázo/ciˈta.zo/
To look in Greek is κοιτάζω (koitázo).
The verb κοιτάζω is used to describe the intentional action of trying to see something. It is distinct from the verb βλέπω, which means 'to see' and refers to the actual perception of sight.
Meaning: to try to see (verb)
Which one should you use?
While κοιτάζω means 'to look' (the intentional action), βλέπω means 'to see' (the perception of sight).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form κοιτάζω is the first-person singular present indicative, meaning 'I look'. Other present indicative forms include κοιτάζεις for 'you look' (second-person singular) and κοιτάζει for 'he/she/it looks' (third-person singular).
How do you pronounce it?
koitázo (/ciˈta.zo/). It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Byzantine Greek, the same word κοιτάζω could mean both 'to look' and 'to go to bed'.
- The root of κοιτάζω is related to the ancient Greek term for the marriage bed.
- While κοιτάζω is used for the act of looking, the related noun for a 'look' or 'glance' often uses a different root entirely.
Examples in context
- Κάποιες φορές, αν κοιτάζω ένα δάσος από δέντρα, μπαίνω σε μια κατάσταση ύπνωσης και ούτε καν το καταλαβαίνω μέχρι μερικά λεπτά πιο μετά.Sometimes, if I look at a forest of trees, I get in a trance and don't even realize until minutes later.This sentence shows how to use κοιτάζω when describing looking at a forest.Tatoeba #7796676 by janMiso, translation #700481 by Zifre
- Την κοιτάζω που κοιμάται τόσο ήρεμα.I look at her sleeping so calmly.This sentence demonstrates using κοιτάζω to describe looking at someone while they are sleeping.Tatoeba #9870279 by Nylez, translation #9891678 by Nylez
- Κοίτα εδώ!Look here!
- Ρίξε μια ματιά στο νέο βιβλίο.Have a look at the new book.
- Κοιτάζω έξω από το παράθυρο.Kitázo éxo apó to paráthyro.I am looking out the window.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are looking for a lost key in the living room.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΚοιτάζω παντού αλλά δεν το βρίσκω.Kitázo pandoú alá den to vrísko.I am looking everywhere but I can't find it.
- Νίκος NikosΚοιτάξες κάτω από τον καναπέ;Kitáxes káto apó ton kanape;Did you look under the sofa?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΝαι, κοίταξα ήδη εκεί.Ne, kitáxa ídi ekí.Yes, I already looked there.
- Νίκος NikosΤότε θα κοιτάξω εγώ στον πάγκο.Tóte tha kitáxo egó ston págko.Then I will look on the counter.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “look” translations and entries κοιτάζω, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries κοιτάζω, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
