βορράς
vorrás
The English word "north" is βορράς (vorrás) in Greek.
βορράς is the noun used for the compass point north. Related forms include the adjective βόρειος for things pertaining to the north and the adverbial forms for direction.
Meaning: compass point (noun)
Which one should you use?
While βορράς is the noun for the direction itself, βόρειος is the adjective meaning "northern". To describe movement or direction towards the north, you can use the adverb βορείως or βόρεια.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective for "northern" is βόρειος in its masculine form. The adverbial form βορείως is specifically used to describe movement or direction towards the north.
How do you pronounce it?
vorrás
Did you know?
- In Greek mythology, Βορρᾶς was the personification of the cold north wind, often depicted as a fierce and powerful deity.
- The word βορράς shares a linguistic DNA with the English name 'Boreas', which is often used in scientific terms to describe northern climates.
- Unlike English, where 'north' is a simple direction, the root of βορράς evokes the physical sensation of a chilling gust of wind.
Example sentences for Greek are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Giorgos and Maria are hiking with a map.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΠού είναι ο βορράς εδώ;Pou einai o vorrάs edό?Where is north here?
- Μαρία MariaΕίναι προς το βουνό, Γιώργο.Einai pros to vounό, Giόrgo.It is towards the mountain, Giorgos.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΤότε πρέπει να στρίψουμε δεξιά.Tόte prepei na strόpsou dexia.Then we must turn right.
- Μαρία MariaΝαι, αυτός είναι ο σωστός δρόμος.Nai, autos einai o sostό drόmos.Yes, this is the right way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “north” translations and entries βορράς, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries βορράς, CC BY-SA 4.0.
