μύθος
mýthos/ˈmi.θos/masculine
The Greek word for myth is μύθος (mýthos).
The term refers to a commonly-held but false belief. In formal contexts, it can also refer to a traditional story or narrative.
Meaning: commonly-held but false belief (noun)
Which one should you use?
ψευδόμυθος (pseudómythos) is a formal term specifically used to mean a false myth.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word μύθος is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The stress is on the first of two syllables.
Did you know?
- In modern Greek, the word μύθος is also used as a brand name for one of the country's most famous beers.
- Ancient Greek philosophers like Plato created a sharp distinction between μύθος (mythos) as narrative and λόγος (logos) as logical argument.
- In Ancient Greek, μύθος did not mean a fiction or a lie, but simply a 'story' or 'speech', often used to describe the spoken word of a king or a law.
Examples in context
- Αυτό είναι ένας μύθος.Aftó eínai énas mýthos.This is a myth.
- Είναι μύθος ότι η δίαιτα είναι εύκολη.Eínai mýthos óti i díaita eínai eúkoli.It is a myth that dieting is easy.
- Ο μύθος αυτός δεν είναι αληθινός.O mýthos aftós den eínai alithinós.This myth is not true.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “myth” translations and entries μύθος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
