χαμένος
chaménos/xaˈme.nos/masculine
The Greek word for lost is χαμένος (chaménos).
χαμένος is used to describe someone or something that is unable to find its way. This can be applied to a person who is physically lost in a location or used metaphorically to describe someone who is lost in thought.
Meaning: unable to find one's way (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
χαμένος is the past participle of the verb χάνομαι, which means to be lost or to lose oneself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective must agree in gender and number with the subject it describes. Use χαμένη for a feminine subject, χαμμένο for a neuter subject, χαμένοι for a group of men or a mixed group, χαμένες for a group of women and χαμένα for a group of neuter objects.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable. The romanization is chaménos.
Did you know?
- The word χαμένος is common Greek slang for someone who is high or completely spaced out.
- The word χαμένος originates from the verb χάνω, which historically meant 'to vanish' or 'to perish'.
- In Greek, if you lose a sports match or a board game, you use the verb χάνω, the same root used for being physically 'lost'.
Examples in context
- είναι χαμένος στις σκέψειςHe is lost in thought(s).This sentence shows how to use the word to describe being lost in one's thoughts.
- Είμαι χαμένος.I'm lost.This sentence is a direct way to state that you are lost.Tatoeba #11502102 by carlosalberto, translation #455833 by lukaszpp
Example conversation
Kyriaki and Dimitris are walking in a new neighborhood.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΔημήτρη, νομίζω ότι είμαστε χαμένοι.Dimītri, nomīzo óti eímaste chaménoi.Dimitris, I think we are lost.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕίμαι χαμένος, δεν αναγνωρίζω τον δρόμο.Eímai chaménos, den anagnorīzo ton drómo.I am lost, I don't recognize the road.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΑς κοιτάξουμε στον χάρτη του κινητού.As koitáxoume ston chárti tou kinitoú.Let's look at the phone map.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΝαι, αυτό είναι η καλύτερη ιδέα.Ne, aftó einai i kalýteri idéa.Yes, that is the best idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lost” translations and entries χαμένος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries χαμένος, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
