φτωχός
ftochós
The Greek word for poor is φτωχός (ftochós).
φτωχός is an adjective used to describe someone with few or no possessions or money. It can also be used figuratively to mean 'poor in quality' or 'lacking in something' (e.g., poor health or poor resources).
Meaning: with few or no possessions or money (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, φτωχός must agree with the gender of the noun it describes: use φτωχή for feminine nouns and φτωχά for neuter nouns. For the masculine singular form, use φτωχού when in the genitive case (meaning 'of the poor'). For both masculine and feminine nouns in the genitive plural, use φτωχών. Additionally, the noun φτωχοί can be used to refer to the poor people of a society or the world collectively or the poor class of a society.
How do you pronounce it?
ftochós
What mistakes should you avoid?
If you want to specifically describe someone as homeless or destitute in a formal context, you might use Αστέγος, which primarily means homeless but can also describe someone as poor in the sense of being destitute.
Did you know?
- The word φτωχός shares a linguistic root with the English word 'pauper'. Both descend from the Ancient Greek root meaning 'to crouch' or 'to cower', imagining a beggar's posture.
- In Greek Orthodox traditions, the concept of being φτωχός is often linked to the 'blessedness' of the poor, a spiritual status that is highly respected in religious iconography and literature.
- In many Greek contexts, calling someone φτωχός can be seen as a heavy social stigma, whereas in English, 'poor' can sometimes be used more casually in idioms.
Examples in context
- Ο Τομ είναι φτωχός.Tom is poor.This sentence uses φτωχός to state that Tom is poor.Tatoeba #3763930 by glavkos, translation #1024902 by CK
- Ξέρω πώς είναι να 'σαι φτωχός.I know what it's like to be poor.This sentence uses φτωχός to express the experience of being poor.Tatoeba #5468947 by Zeus, translation #1887509 by CK
- Αυτός ήταν φτωχός και δεν μπορούσε να το αγοράσει.He was poor and could not buy it.This sentence uses φτωχός to explain why someone could not afford an item.Tatoeba #3675634 by glavkos, translation #303176 by CK
- Ο κύριος Παπαδόπουλος είναι ένας φτωχός άνθρωπος.Mr. Papadopoulos is a poor man.
- Η φτωχή οικογένεια έγινε αστέγη μετά την πυρκαγιά.The poor family became homeless after the fire.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Giorgos are talking about a local charity event.
- Μαρία MariaΘέλουμε να βοηθήσουμε τους φτωχούς ανθρώπους της πόλης.Théloume na voithísoume tous ftōchoús anthrópous tis pólis.We want to help the poor people of the city.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίναι πολύ σημαντικό να το κάνουμε αυτό.Eínai polý simantikó na to kánoume aftó.It is very important that we do this.
- Μαρία MariaΠολλά παιδιά είναι φτωχός οικογένειες.Pollá paidiá eínai ftōchoús oikogéneies.Many children are from poor families.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΣυμφωνώ, Μαρία, ας ξεκινήσουμε τη συλλογή.Symfonó, María, as xekinísoume ti syllogí.I agree, Maria, let's start the collection.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “poor” translations and entries φτωχός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries φτωχός, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
