περιστέρι
peristérineuter
The Greek word for pigeon is περιστέρι (peristéri).
The word refers to a bird belonging to the Columbidae family, which includes both pigeons and doves.
Meaning: bird of the dove and pigeon family Columbidae (noun)
Which one should you use?
To specify a female pigeon, use the feminine form περιστερά. The word περιστεράκι can be used to refer to a small or young pigeon as a diminutive, or as an affectionate term.
How does it change in a sentence?
The standard form περιστέρι is a neuter noun. The feminine form for a female pigeon is περιστερά, and the diminutive form is περιστεράκι.
How do you pronounce it?
peristéri
Did you know?
- Ancient Greeks believed the περιστέρι was sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, which is why the bird remains a symbol of romance today.
- Because περιστεράκι is a diminutive, it is often used by Greeks as a term of endearment for a beloved person, much like 'little dove' might be used in English.
- The word περιστέρι comes from the Ancient Greek word περιστέριον, which was originally a diminutive form of περιστερά.
Examples in context
- Το περιστέρι τρώει σπόρο.The pigeon eats seed.
- Ένα περιστέρι πετάει πάνω από το σπίτι.Ena peristeri petei pano apo to spiti.A pigeon is flying over the house.
- Το περιστέρι έφαγε ψίχουλα στο πάρκο.To peristeri efage psichoula sto parko.The pigeon ate crumbs in the park.
- Είδα ένα γκρι περιστέρι στην πλατεία.Eida ena gri peristeri stin plateia.I saw a grey pigeon in the square.
Example conversation
Giorgos and Anastasia are walking in a city park.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΚόιτα, Αναστασία, ένα όμορφο λευκό περιστέρι!Kóita, Anastasia, éna ómorfo leftkó peristéri!Look, Anastasia, a beautiful white pigeon!
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕίναι πολύ χαριτωμένο, Γιώργο.Eínai polý charitōméno, Giórgo.It is very cute, Giorgos.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΘέλεις να το ταΐσουμε λίγο ψωμί;Thélis na to taísoume lígo psomí?Do you want to feed it some bread?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΌχι, δεν έχω μαζί μου φαγητό.Óchi, den écho mazí mou fagitó.No, I don't have food with me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pigeon” translations and entries περιστέρι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries περιστέρι, CC BY-SA 4.0.
