εφιάλτης
efiáltismasculine
The Greek word for nightmare is εφιάλτης (efiáltis).
The word εφιάλτης can be used literally to describe a terrifying dream or figuratively to describe a disastrous or extremely unpleasant situation, much like in English.
Meaning: dream (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of εφιάλτης is εφιάλτες.
How do you pronounce it?
efiáltis
Did you know?
- In classical literature, Ἐφιάλτης was often depicted as a monster that would descend upon the unsuspecting during the night.
- In Greek folklore, the sensation of a 'nightmare' was often attributed to an invisible demon or spirit sitting on the sleeper, mirroring the linguistic root of 'throwing upon'.
- The word εφιάλτης comes from a root meaning 'to throw upon', suggesting the nightmare is something physically cast onto a sleeping person.
Examples in context
- Τα νιάτα είναι όνειρο και τα γηρατειά ένας εφιάλτης.Youth is a dream, and old age is a nightmare.This sentence illustrates a contrast between youth and old age using εφιάλτης.Tatoeba #12209431 by carlosalberto, translation #12209356 by carlosalberto
- Μας πούλησαν ένα όνειρο που στην πραγματικότητα ήταν ένας μεγάλος εφιάλτης.We were sold a dream that was actually a big nightmare.This sentence shows how a dream can be described as a nightmare using εφιάλτης.Tatoeba #11959551 by carlosalberto, translation #11959542 by carlosalberto
- Χθες είδα έναν εφιάλτη.Yesterday, I had a nightmare.
- Ωχ, χτες είδα ένα κακό όνειρο, έναν εφιάλτη!Oh, yesterday I had a bad dream, a nightmare!
- Οι εφιάλτες είναι πραγματικά ανυπόφοροι, δεν μπορώ να κοιμηθώ.Nightmares are really unbearable, I can't sleep.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nightmare” translations and entries εφιάλτης, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries εφιάλτης, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
