How to Say "Poem" in Greek - How To Say Guide

ποίημα

poíima/ˈpi.i.ma/neuter

The Greek word for poem is ποίημα (poíima).

The word ποίημα is used to refer to a specific literary piece written in verse.

Meaning: literary piece written in verse (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word comes from an ancient Greek root meaning 'to make' or 'to create'.

While ποίημα refers to an individual poem, the related word ποίησις refers to the abstract act of composing or to poetry as a whole.

The word is a neuter noun. Its plural form is ποιήματα.

The romanization is poíima. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.

In modern Greek, if someone describes a situation as a ποίημα, they might be sarcastically implying that the scenario is a fictional or exaggerated creation.
The ancient Greek poet Sappho, one of the most famous creators of ποιήματα, wrote in a specific dialect called Aeolic, which differs significantly from the Attic Greek usually taught to students.
In Greek, the term ποίησις is used in philosophy to describe the act of bringing something into existence that did not exist before, which is a deeper concept than just 'writing poetry'.

Ο Θωμάς έδειξε στη Μαίρη το ποίημα που είχε γράψει.
Tom showed Mary the poem he had written.
This sentence shows how to use ποίημα when describing someone showing a poem they wrote.
Tatoeba #4364467 by Tensai, translation #2538631 by CK
Αυτή διάβασε ένα ποίημα σ' αυτόν.
She read one poem to him.
This sentence demonstrates the use of ποίημα when reading a poem to someone.
Tatoeba #3227950 by biber, translation #316286 by CK
Ποιο είναι το αγαπημένο σου ποίημα;
What's your favorite poem?
This sentence shows how to ask about someone's favorite ποίημα.
Tatoeba #12643204 by Iye_Tete, translation #906847 by CK
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Eleni and Dimitris are discussing a school assignment.

Ελένη Eleni

Διάβασες το ποίημα για το μάθημα;
Diávases to poíima gia to máthima;
Did you read the poem for the class?
Δημήτρης Dimitris

Όχι, είναι πολύ δύσκολο το ποίημα αυτό.
Óchi, eínai polý dýskolo to poíima aftó.
No, this poem is very difficult.
Ελένη Eleni

Μου αρέσει πολύ ο ρυθμός του.
Mou arései polý o rythmós tou.
I like its rhythm very much.
Δημήτρης Dimitris

Έχεις δίκιο, Ελένη, είναι όμορφο.
Écheis díkio, Eléni, eínai ómorfo.
You are right, Eleni, it is beautiful.

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