μολύβι
molývi/moˈlivi/neuter
The Greek word for pencil is μολύβι (molývi).
μολύβι is a noun used to refer to a graphite writing instrument.
Meaning: graphite writing-instrument (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of μολύβι is μολύβια. The word is a neuter noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is molývi and the IPA is /moˈlivi/.
Did you know?
- The word μολύβι shares its root with the English word 'plumber', which comes from the Latin 'plumbum' for lead pipes.
- The word μολύβι is used in Greek fishing terminology to describe the sinkers that pull a line down to the seabed.
- Ancient Greeks used a stylos, a metal or bone pointed tool, before the modern μολύβι became the standard for writing.
Examples in context
- Εχασα το μολύβι μου.I've lost my pencil.This sentence shows how to express having lost your μολύβι.Tatoeba #2363424 by mululatv, translation #25766 by CK
- Πού 'ναι το μολύβι μου;Where is my pencil?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of your μολύβι.Tatoeba #5530423 by Zeus, translation #2548476 by CK
- Έχετε ένα κόκκινο μολύβι;Do you have a red pencil?This sentence demonstrates how to ask if someone has a red μολύβι.Tatoeba #5586407 by Zeus, translation #1460939 by CK
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kyriaki is asking Nikos for a writing tool in a classroom.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΝίκο, έχεις ένα μολύβι;Niko, echeis ena molyvi?Nikos, do you have a pencil?
- Νίκος NikosΝαι, ορίστε το μολύβι μου.Nai, oriste to molyvi mou.Yes, here is my pencil.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕυχαριστώ πολύ!Efcharisto poly!Thank you very much!
- Νίκος NikosΠαρακαλώ, Κυριακή.Parakalo, Kyriaki.You're welcome, Kyriaki.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pencil” translations and entries μολύβι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
