κουτάβι
koutávi/kuˈtavi/neuter
The English phrase puppy is translated into Greek as κουτάβι (koutávi).
The word κουτάβι is a general term used for a young dog.
Meaning: young dog (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the neuter noun κουτάβι is κουτάβια. The genitive singular form, meaning "of the puppy", is κουτάβιου.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is koutávi. In IPA, it is pronounced /kuˈtavi/.
Did you know?
- In Greece, calling someone a κουτάβι is not just for children but can be a sweet term of endearment for an adult partner or friend.
- Linguists believe the root of κουτάβι may have Slavic origins, sharing a common ancestor with the Bulgarian word ку́че for 'dog'.
- While the standard word for 'dog' is σκύλος, which is masculine, the word for 'puppy' switches the grammatical gender to neuter.
Examples in context
- Έχει ένα μαύρο κουτάβι.She has a black puppy.This sentence shows how to describe the color of a κουτάβι.Tatoeba #4364443 by Tensai, translation #4284605 by seltsameseeds
- Το κουτάβι πίνει νερό;Does the puppy drink water?This sentence is useful for asking a question about a κουτάβι drinking water.Tatoeba #11152016 by carlosalberto, translation #11152012 by carlosalberto
- Έχουμε ένα λευκό κουτάβι.We have a white puppy.This sentence is useful for stating that you have a white κουτάβι.Tatoeba #11159430 by carlosalberto, translation #11159429 by carlosalberto
- Έχετε ένα κουτάβι;Do you have a puppy?
- Το σκυλάκι σας είναι πολύ όμορφο!Your puppy is very cute!
- Δες εκεί! Πρέπει να υιοθετήσουμε ένα κουταβάκι!Look there! We should adopt a puppy!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nikos and Anastasia are looking at a photo on a phone.
- Νίκος NikosΕίναι πολύ χαριτωμένο αυτό το κουτάβι!Ine polí charitomeno aftó to koutávi!This puppy is very cute!
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝαι, είναι υπέροχο.Nai, ine ipérocho.Yes, it is wonderful.
- Νίκος NikosΠού το αγόρασες;Pou to agórases;Where did you buy it?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΤο πήρα από έναν φίλο μου.To píra apó énan fílo mou.I got it from a friend of mine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “puppy” translations and entries κουτάβι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries κουτάβι, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
