μαγεία
mageía/maˈʝi.a/feminine
In Greek, magic is μαγεία (mageía).
μαγεία is a feminine noun used to describe the illusion performed to give the appearance of magic or the supernatural. It can also be used in an adjective sense, such as in the word μαγικός, which describes things that are wonderful, amazing or produce extraordinary results.
Meaning: illusion performed to give the appearance of magic or the supernatural (noun)
Which one should you use?
While μαγεία refers to magic in a general sense, the term ταχυδακτυλουργία is used specifically to refer to the technical skill of sleight of hand or prestidigitation. For entertainment purposes, the adjective ταχυδακτυλουργικός is used to describe illusions.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective μαγικός must change its ending to match the gender of the noun it describes: use μαγικός for masculine nouns, μαγική for feminine nouns and μαγικό for neuter nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /maˈʝi.a/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- Ancient Greeks viewed μαγεία not just as illusions but as a dangerous 'foreign' art, often associating it with non-Greek practices from the East.
- In Greek folklore, the word μαγεία is often distinguished from ξόρκισμα, which refers specifically to the act of casting a spell or an incantation.
- The Greek word μαγεία is a cognate of the English word 'magic' and shares a common ancestor with the Old Persian word 'maguš'.
Examples in context
- Το θέαμα της παράστασης ήταν γεμάτο μαγεία.The performance was full of magic.
- Δεν είναι πραγματική μαγεία, είναι απλώς ένα κόλπο.Den eínai pragmatikí mageía, eínai aplós éna kólpo.It is not real magic, it is just a trick.
- Η μαγεία της παράστασης εντυπωσίασε το κοινό.I mageía tis parástasis entyposiáse to kinó.The magic of the performance impressed the audience.
Example conversation
George and Maria are watching a street performer.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΚοίτα τη μαγεία που κάνει!Koita ti mageia pou kanei!Look at the magic he is doing!
- Μαρία MariaΕίναι απλώς ένα κόλπο με τα χέρια.Einai aplos ena kolpo me ta cheria.It is just a trick with the hands.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΌχι, μοιάζει με πραγματική μαγεία.Ochi, moiazei me pragmatiki mageia.No, it looks like real magic.
- Μαρία MariaΤίποτα δεν είναι πραγματικά μαγικό, Γιώργο.Tipota den einai pragmatika magiko, Giorgo.Nothing is truly magical, George.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “magic” translations and entries μαγεία, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries μαγεία, CC BY-SA 4.0.
