Σελήνη
Selíni/seˈlini/
The English phrase 'luna' refers to the Moon, which in Greek is Σελήνη (Selíni).
Σελήνη is used to refer to the natural satellite that orbits the Earth.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is Selíni. The IPA is /seˈlini/.
Did you know?
- While Σελήνη is the formal name, the common word φεγγάρι is used more often in casual speech. Interestingly, φεγγάρι can also mean 'month' in Greek, as both words relate to the lunar cycle.
- The word Σελήνη is the linguistic root of the English word 'selenology', which is the scientific study of the moon.
- The name Σελήνη is not just a celestial term, but also the name of the Greek goddess of the Moon. In many classical texts, the phenomenon and the deity are treated as one and the same.
Examples in context
- Χαίρετε, είμαι η Λούνα.Hello, I am Luna.
- Πώς είσαι, Λούνα;How are you, Luna?
- Η Σελήνη είναι πολύ φωτεινή απόψε.I Selíni eíne polý fotení apópse.The moon is very bright tonight.
- Βλέπω τη Σελήνη μέσα από το τηλεσκόπιο.Vlépo ti Selíni mésa apó to tileskópio.I see the moon through the telescope.
Example conversation
George and Anastasia are looking at the night sky.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΒλέπεις τη Σελήνη, Αναστασία;Vlépeis ti Selíni, Anastasía?Do you see the Moon, Anastasia?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝαι, Γιώργο, είναι πανέμορφη!Nai, Giórgo, eínai panémorfi!Yes, George, it is beautiful!
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίναι σχεδόν γεμάτη Σελήνη.Eínai schedón gemáti Selíni.It is almost a full Moon.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΠράγματι, φωτίζει όλο το δάσος.Prágmati, fotízei ólo to dásos.Indeed, it lights up the whole forest.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Σελήνη, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
