έλεος
éleos/ˈeleos/
The English word 'mercy' is translated into Greek as έλεος (éleos).
έλεος is a noun meaning forgiveness or compassion. It is the standard term used in religious contexts and Greek Orthodox liturgy to refer to God's mercy.
Meaning: forgiveness or compassion (noun)
Which one should you use?
While έλεος implies a sense of divine or judicial mercy or forgiveness, the word συμπάθεια is used for everyday human sympathy or feeling for someone's plight.
How does it change in a sentence?
The genitive form of έλεος is ελέους, which is used in phrases such as 'the power of mercy' (το δύναμη του ελέους).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced [éleos].
Did you know?
- In modern Greek, using έλεος in an exclamation like Έλεος! can actually express frustration or annoyance, similar to saying 'Give me a break!' or 'Good grief!' in English.
- The Greek word ελέος is one of the many words that entered English through religious texts, influencing the formal tone of English words like 'eleemosynary'.
- In Ancient Greek, the root of έλεος is believed to be connected to the word for 'softness' or 'suppleness', suggesting that mercy is a softening of the heart.
Examples in context
- Παρακαλώ, έλεος!Please, have mercy!
- Συγχώρεσε με, παρακαλώ!Forgive me, please!
- Ειλικρινά, μετάνιωσα, ελέησον!Honestly, I regret it, have mercy!
- Πάντα να έχουμε έλεος στους αδύναμους.Pánta na échoume éleos stous adýnamous.We should always have mercy on the weak.
- Το έλεος είναι μια μεγάλη αρετή.To éleos eínai mia megáli aretí.Mercy is a great virtue.
Example conversation
Kyriaki is asking Giorgos for a second chance after a mistake.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΓιώργο, σε παρακαλώ, έχε έλεος!Giorgo, se parakalo, echo eleos!Giorgos, please, have mercy!
- Γιώργος GiorgosΤι έκανες πάλι, Κυριακή;Ti ekanes pali, Kyriaki?What did you do again, Kyriaki?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΈσπασα το αγαπημένο σου ποτήρι.Espasa to agapimeno sou potiri.I broke your favorite glass.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕντάξει, θα σου δείξω έλεος αυτή τη φορά.Entaxei, tha sou deixo eleos afti ti fora.Alright, I will show you mercy this time.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry έλεος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries έλεος, CC BY-SA 4.0.
