άτομο
átomo/ˈa.to.mo/
The Greek word for person is άτομο (átomo).
άτομο is used to refer to a person specifically as an individual or a single social unit. While it can mean person, it is also the term used for an 'atom' in a scientific context.
Meaning: specifically a human being (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word άτομο literally means 'atom' in a scientific context.
Which one should you use?
While άτομο views a person as an individual or a single unit, the word άνθρωπος is the more common and general way to say 'human', 'man' or 'person' in a broader sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of άτομο is άτομα, meaning 'people' or 'individuals'. The genitive singular form, used to express 'of the person', is του ατόμου.
How do you pronounce it?
átomo (ˈa.to.mo). The stress is on the first of the three syllables.
Did you know?
- In Greek, άτομο is a neuter noun, meaning a 'person' is grammatically referred to using the same gender as an 'object' or a 'thing'.
- While άτομο refers to an individual, the general word for human, άνθρωπος, is the direct ancestor of the English word 'anthropology'.
- In Ancient Greece, the term άτομος was coined by philosophers like Democritus to describe the smallest particle of matter long before modern chemistry.
Examples in context
- Βρήκες το άτομο το οποίο έψαχνες;Did you find the person you were looking for?This sentence shows how to use άτομο when referring to a specific person being searched for.Tatoeba #10669968 by amoeba, translation #10668686 by CK
- Ο έμπορος φαίνεται να είναι ειλικρινές άτομο.The merchant seems to be an honest person.This sentence demonstrates using άτομο to describe the character of a person.Tatoeba #4945504 by _anna, translation #4944856 by Objectivesea
- Είσαι ένα υπέροχο άτομο!You are a wonderful person!This sentence illustrates using άτομο to give a compliment to a person.Tatoeba #11242842 by carlosalberto, translation #11242832 by carlosalberto
- Ο άνθρωπος είναι ένα κοινωνικό πλάσμα που απολαμβάνει την κοινωνία των προσώπων γύρω του.The person is a social creature who enjoys the company of the individuals around them.
- Ο τύπος που μίλησε μαζί μου ήταν πολύ ευγενικός.The guy who spoke to me was very polite.
- Το άτομο που γνώρισα στη Θεσσαλονίκη ήταν πολύ φιλικό.The person I met in Thessaloniki was very friendly.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia is describing a new coworker to Dimitris.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕίναι ένα πολύ ήσυχο άτομο.Einai ena poly isycho atomo.He is a very quiet person.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΦαίνεται φιλικός όταν μιλάει;Fainetai filikos otan milaei?Does he seem friendly when he speaks?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝαι, είναι πολύ ευγενικό άτομο.Nai, einai poly evgeniko atomo.Yes, he is a very polite person.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΧαίρομαι που τον γνωρίσαμε.Cheirame pou ton gnorisame.I am glad we met him.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry άτομο, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
