υπομονή
ypomoní/ipomoˈni/feminine
The Greek word for patience is υπομονή (ypomoní).
υπομονή refers to the quality of being patient.
Meaning: quality of being patient (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix υπο- (under) and the verb μένω (to stay or remain), which literally translates to 'staying under' a burden or difficulty.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a feminine noun, υπομονή takes the definite article η or the indefinite article μια. The genitive singular form, used to say 'of patience', is υπομονής.
How do you pronounce it?
ypomoní (/ipomoˈni/)
Did you know?
- While υπομονή is the standard noun for 'patience', Greeks often use it as a standalone exclamation to tell someone to 'be patient' or 'wait a moment'.
- The prefix υπο- in υπομονή is the same prefix found in 'hypodermic' or 'hypothesis', meaning 'under' or 'below'.
- In Modern Greek, the expression έχω την υπομονή μου can ironically imply that someone is being stubbornly persistent rather than calmly patient.
Examples in context
- Η υπομονή μου εξαντλήθηκε.My patience has run out.This sentence demonstrates using υπομονή to express that one's patience has been exhausted.Tatoeba #2452195 by mululatv, translation #3371857 by CK
- Αρχίζω να χάνω την υπομονή μου.I'm beginning to lose my patience.This sentence shows how to express the process of losing one's υπομονή.Tatoeba #2699975 by Zeus, translation #1344144 by CK
- Όποιος έχει υπομονή βλέπει όσα επιθυμεί.Patience is a virtue.This sentence uses υπομονή to express the idea that patience is a virtue.Tatoeba #5412596 by NIKOLAS, translation #815249 by McDutchie
- Αυτή η δύσκολη κατάσταση απαιτεί υπομονή.This challenging situation requires patience.
- Τα εύπορα παιδιά αργούν να μάθουν την υπομονή.Wealthy children are slow to learn patience.
- Η υπομονή είναι πιο γλυκιά από το μέλι.Patience is sweeter than honey.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kyriaki is teaching Nikos how to play a musical instrument.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠρέπει να έχεις περισσότερη υπομονή, Νίκο.Prepei na eheis perissoterie ypomoní, Níko.You need to have more patience, Nikos.
- Νίκος NikosΕίναι πολύ δύσκολο για μένα.Eínai polý dýskolo gia ména.It is very difficult for me.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΗ υπομονή είναι το κλειδί στην εκμάθηση.I ypomoní eínai to kleidí stin ekmáthisi.Patience is the key to learning.
- Νίκος NikosΘα προσπαθήσω να είμαι πιο ήρεμος.Tha prospathíso na eímai pio íremos.I will try to be calmer.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “patience” translations and entries υπομονή, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
