μήνας
mínas/ˈmi.nas/masculine
The Greek word for month is μήνας (mínas).
μήνας is a masculine noun used to refer to a period into which a year is divided.
Meaning: period into which a year is divided (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes to μήνα when used as the direct object of a verb or after certain prepositions. To indicate possession or quantity in the plural, use the genitive form μηνών (of months).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈmi.nas/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word μήνας is used in Greek to describe a 'monthly' period of a woman's cycle, acting as a euphemism similar to the English word 'period'.
- While μήνας is the standard word for a calendar month, the Greek language also uses the word μήνας to refer to a monthly payment or a monthly salary in business contexts.
- The Greek word μήνας shares the same Proto-Indo-European root as the English word 'moon'. In many ancient cultures, the 'month' was defined by the moon's cycle rather than a set number of days.
Examples in context
- Επόμενος μήνας θα είναι ο Οκτώβριος.Next month will be October.This sentence shows how to refer to the next μήνας.Tatoeba #2836337 by glavkos, translation #9433200 by Nylez
- Ο Φλεβάρης είναι ο δεύτερος μήνας του έτους.February is the second month of the year.This sentence uses μήνας to identify a specific month of the year.Tatoeba #5360168 by Zeus, translation #6157140 by amoeba
- Ο Οκτώβριος είναι ο αγαπημένος μήνας του Τομ.October is Tom's favorite month.This sentence uses μήνας to describe a person's favorite month.Tatoeba #7780559 by eypros, translation #7780246 by CK
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dimitris and Eleni are discussing their upcoming travel plans.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΠότε θα πάμε για διακοπές;Pote tha pame gia diakopes;When are we going on vacation?
- Ελένη EleniΘα πάμε τον επόμενο μήνα.Tha pame ton epomeno mina.We will go next month.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕίναι ο ιδανικός μήνας για την Ελλάδα.Einai o idanikos minas gia tin Ellada.It is the ideal month for Greece.
- Ελένη EleniΣυμφωνώ, ο καιρός θα είναι υπέροχος.Symphonó, o kairos tha einai yperochos.I agree, the weather will be wonderful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “month” translations and entries μήνας, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries μήνας, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
