ταχυδρομείο
tachydromeío/taçiðɾoˈmio/neuter
In Greek, the word for mail is ταχυδρομείο (tachydromeío).
The word ταχυδρομείο is a neuter noun used to refer to the post office or the postal service. If you wish to describe something related to the mail, such as a postal service, you should use the adjective ταχυδρομική. To express the action of sending something via the post, use the verb ταχυδρομώ.
Meaning: parcels and letters (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word ταχυδρομείο is a compound formed from ταχύ, meaning fast and δρόμος, meaning road or way, so it literally translates to 'fast way'.
Which one should you use?
While the English word 'mail' can refer to both the physical letters and the institution itself, the Greek word ταχυδρομείο specifically refers to the post office or the institution rather than the physical letters.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, particularly in rural areas, people may informally refer to mail as γράμμα.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a neuter noun, ταχυδρομείο uses the definite article τα and the indefinite article ένα.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is tachydromeío and the IPA is /taçiðɾoˈmio/.
Did you know?
- The root ταχυ in ταχυδρομείο is the same one found in the English medical term 'tachycardia', where it describes a 'fast' heart rate.
- In ancient Greece, the 'tachydromos' was not a motorized service but a professional relay runner who delivered messages on foot.
- The modern word ταχυδρομείο descends from 'tachydromeíon', a term from Katharevousa, a formal version of Greek designed to mimic ancient texts.
Examples in context
- Ο Τομ πήγε στο ταχυδρομείο, για να στείλει ένα γράμμα.Tom went to the post office to mail a letter.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of ταχυδρομείο.Tatoeba #3582455 by Zeus, translation #2949462 by CK
- Πήρες την επιστολή που σου έστειλα προχθές;Did you get the mail I sent you the day before yesterday?
Example conversation
Dimitris and Eleni are talking at home.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕλένη, ήρθε το ταχυδρομείο σήμερα;Eleni, irthe to tachydromeio simera?Eleni, did the mail come today?
- Ελένη EleniΌχι Δημήτρη, δεν είδα τίποτα.Ochi Dimitri, den eida tipota.No Dimitris, I didn't see anything.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΠεριμένω ένα σημαντικό δέμα.Perimeno ena simantiko dema.I am expecting an important parcel.
- Ελένη EleniΘα κοιτάξω πάλι το ταχυδρομείο.Tha koitaxo pali to tachydromeio.I will check the mail again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mail” translations and entries ταχυδρομείο, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ταχυδρομείο, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
