γοργόνα
gorgóna/ɣoɾˈɣo.na/feminine
The English word "mermaid" is translated into Greek as γοργόνα (gorgóna).
The term refers to a mythological woman with the tail of a fish.
Meaning: mythological woman with a fish’s tail (noun)
Which one should you use?
While γοργόνα is the standard term, you may encounter Θαλασσονύμφη in poetic contexts or Θαλασσόπαιδο as an endearing, informal way to say "sea child".
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of γοργόνα is γοργόνες.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced gorgóna. The stress is on the second of three syllables.
Did you know?
- The word γοργόνα shares an etymological root with the 'Gorgon' of Greek mythology, such as Medusa. This suggests a linguistic link between the terrifying Gorgon creatures and the siren-like allure of the mermaid.
- Ancient Greek beliefs distinguished between the γοργόνα and the σειρήν (Siren), as Sirens were originally half-bird and half-woman before later traditions merged them with mermaids.
- While 'mermaid' in English evokes a specific image, the Greek term γοργόνα is also used to describe certain species of sea slugs and other marine life in biological contexts.
Examples in context
- Πάω για μπάνιο με τη γοργονίτσα μουI'm going for a swim with my little mermaid.
- Η γοργόνα είναι πανέμορφη.I gorgona einai panemorfi.The mermaid is beautiful.
- Είδα μια γοργόνα στο βιβλίο μου.Eida mia gorgona sto vivlio mou.I saw a mermaid in my book.
- Μια γοργόνα ζει στη θάλασσα.Mia gorgona zi sti thalassa.A mermaid lives in the sea.
Example conversation
Giorgos and Eleni are looking at a painting in a museum.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΚόιτα, Ελένη! Είναι μια γοργόνα.Koíta, Eléni! Eínai mia gorgóna.Look, Eleni! It is a mermaid.
- Ελένη EleniΕίναι πολύ όμορφη η εικόνα.Eínai polý ómorfi i eikóna.The picture is very beautiful.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΜου αρέσουν οι ιστορίες με γοργόνες.Mou arésoun oi istóríes me gorgónes.I like stories with mermaids.
- Ελένη EleniΚι εμένα μου αρέσουν πολύ.Ki eména mou arésoun polý.I like them a lot too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mermaid” translations and entries γοργόνα, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries γοργόνα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
