εικόνα
eikóna/iˈko.na/
The Greek word for picture is εικόνα (eikóna).
εικόνα means picture or image. It is used more broadly than just for photographs, often referring to a mental image, a digital icon or a symbolic representation.
Meaning: photograph (noun)
Which one should you use?
While εικόνα can mean a picture or image, φωτογραφία is the more specific and common word used for a physical or digital photograph.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of εικόνα is εικόνες (or οι εικόνες when including the article). To indicate possession or the phrase 'of the picture', use the genitive singular form εικόνας.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /iˈko.na/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The concept of εικόνα is central to the historical 'Iconoclasm' period, where disputes over whether religious images should be allowed led to the destruction of many εικόνες.
- The word φωτογραφία is a compound word containing 'φως', which means 'light', implying that a photograph is literally a 'writing of light'.
- The Greek word εικόνα can be used to describe a person's likeness or resemblance, such as saying someone is the 'spitting image' of their parent.
Examples in context
- Αυτή είναι μια εικόνα ενός από τους σκύλους μου.This is a picture of one of my dogs.This sentence is useful for identifying a picture of a pet using εικόνα.Tatoeba #6999211 by janMiso, translation #6705596 by CK
- Το κορίτσι στην εικόνα φορούσε ένα στέμμα, όχι από χρυσό αλλά από λουλούδια.The girl in the picture was wearing a crown, not made of gold, but made of flowers.This sentence describes a person within a specific εικόνα.Tatoeba #2401073 by mululatv, translation #9198493 by Nylez
- Είναι αυτή μια πρόσφατη εικόνα;Is it a recent picture?This sentence is used to ask if a εικόνα is recent.Tatoeba #3227595 by biber, translation #1291 by Swift
- Το μουσείο έχει πολλές όμορφες εικόνες.The museum has many beautiful pictures.
- Δες αυτή τη φωτογραφία που βρήκα.Look at this picture I found.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dimitris and Eleni are looking at a photo album together.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΚοίτα αυτή την εικόνα από τις διακοπές μας!Koíta aftí tin eikóna apó tis diakopés mas!Look at this picture from our vacation!
- Ελένη EleniΕίναι μια πολύ ωραία εικόνα, Δημήτρη.Eínai mia polý oraía eikóna, Dimítri.It is a very beautiful picture, Dimitris.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΠού βρήκες αυτή την εικόνα;Poú vríkes aftí tin eikóna?Where did you find this picture?
- Ελένη EleniΉταν μέσα στο παλιό άλμπουμ, Δημήτρη.Ítan mésa sto palió álboum, Dimítri.It was inside the old album, Dimitris.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry εικόνα, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
