υδράργυρος
ydrárgyros/iˈðɾaɾʝiɾos/masculine
The English word 'mercury' is translated into Greek as υδράργυρος (ydrárgyros).
υδράργυρος is a masculine noun used to refer to the silvery-coloured, metallic chemical element with the atomic number 80.
Meaning: silvery-coloured, metallic chemical element with the atomic number 80 (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word υδράργυρος is a compound of two parts: υδώρ meaning 'water' and ἄργυρος meaning 'silver', literally translating to 'water-silver'.
Which one should you use?
Use υδράργυρος specifically when referring to the chemical element. When you are referring to the planet or the Greek god, use the Greek word Ερμής instead. For the Roman god specifically, one may also see Μερκούριους.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is ydrárgyros and the IPA is /iˈðɾaɾʝiɾos/.
Did you know?
- While the English word 'mercury' comes from the Roman god, the Greek word υδράργυρος is based entirely on the physical appearance of the metal as 'liquid silver'.
- The second half of the word, άργυρος, is the linguistic ancestor of the English word 'argent', which is often used in heraldry to denote the color silver.
- The Greek word υδράργυρος is a literal descriptive compound, which is a common way the Greek language creates technical terms by joining two basic concepts.
Examples in context
- Σήμερα είδα τον Σίφακα να διασχίζει τον ουρανό.Today, I saw Mercury crossing the sky.
- Προσοχή, υπάρχει υδράργυρος στο θερμόμετρο.Prosokhi, ypárchi ydárgyros sto thermómetro.Watch out, there is mercury in the thermometer.
Example conversation
Maria and Nikos are cleaning up a broken old thermometer.
- Νίκος NikosΠρόσεχε, έσπασε το θερμόμετρο με υδράργυρο!Próseche, éspase to thermómetro me ydrárgyro!Be careful, the mercury thermometer broke!
- Μαρία MariaΕίναι επικίνδυνος ο υδράργυρος;Einai epikíndynos o ydrárgyros?Is mercury dangerous?
- Νίκος NikosΝαι, μην το αγγίζεις με τα χέρια.Nai, min to angízis me ta chéria.Yes, do not touch it with your hands.
- Μαρία MariaΘα φέρω κάτι για να το μαζέψω.Tha féro káti gia na to mazépsou.I will bring something to collect it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mercury” translations and entries υδράργυρος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries υδράργυρος, CC BY-SA 4.0.
