πολυτέλεια
polytéleia/po.liˈte.li.a/feminine
The Greek word for luxury is πολυτέλεια (polytéleia).
πολυτέλεια is a feminine noun used to describe something that is desirable but expensive.
Meaning: something desirable but expensive (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The related adjective πολυτελής, meaning luxurious or indulgent, must agree in gender, number and case with the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /po.liˈte.li.a/. It has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Ancient Greece, πολυτέλεια did not just mean owning expensive items, but referred to 'wantonness' and a general lack of self-control.
- The word πολυτέλεια is a semantic loan from the French word 'luxe', meaning the Greek language adapted its own ancient word to fit the modern French concept of luxury.
- The word πολυτέλεια is built from πολυ-, meaning 'much', and τέλος, which can mean 'payment', effectively describing luxury as 'too much payment'.
Examples in context
- Αυτό το ξενοδοχείο προσφέρει πολυτέλεια και άνεση.This hotel offers luxury and comfort.
- Αυτός ο ξενώνας προσφέρει αριστοκρατική εξυπηρέτηση.This guesthouse offers aristocratic service.
- Αγόρασα ένα πολύ πολυτελές ρολόι.I bought a very luxurious watch.
- Αυτή η πολυτέλεια δεν είναι απαραίτητη.Afti i polytelia den einai aparaireti.This luxury is not necessary.
- Η πολυτέλεια αυτή κοστίζει πολύ.I polytelia afti kostei poli.This luxury costs a lot.
- Η πολυτέλεια είναι για λίγους ανθρώπους.I polytelia einai gia ligous anthropous.Luxury is for a few people.
Example conversation
Anastasia and Giorgos are looking at an expensive watch in a store.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΚόιτα αυτό το ρολόι, Γιώργο!Koíta aftó to rolói, Giórgo!Look at this watch, Giorgos!
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίναι υπέροχο, αλλά είναι μεγάλη πολυτέλεια.Eínai ypérocho, allá eínai megáli polytéleia.It is wonderful, but it is a great luxury.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΈχεις δίκιο, είναι πολύ ακριβό.Écheis díkio, eínai polý akrivó.You are right, it is very expensive.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΑς ψάξουμε κάτι πιο απλό.As psáxoume káti pio apló.Let's look for something simpler.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “luxury” translations and entries πολυτέλεια, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries πολυτέλεια, CC BY-SA 4.0.
