αρουραίος
arouraíos/aɾuˈɾe.os/
The Greek word for rat is αρουραίος (arouraíos).
The term refers to the rodent known as a rat.
Meaning: rodent (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
αρουραίος is a masculine noun. When using the word as a direct object in the accusative plural, the form changes to αρουραίους.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as arouraíos (/aɾuˈɾe.os/). It has three syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- If you call a person αρουραίος in a historical or literary context, you might be calling them a 'country bumpkin' rather than a rodent.
- The word αρουραίος originally meant 'rural' or 'rustic' in Ancient Greek. It only became the word for 'rat' after being used to describe a 'field mouse'.
- While αρουραίος is the precise term for a rat, a Greek person would almost certainly use ποντίκι in everyday conversation, even if they are actually referring to a rat.
Examples in context
- Τα δώδεκα κινέζικα ζώδια ζώα είναι ο αρουραίος, το βόδι, η τίγρη, το κουνέλι, ο δράκος, το φίδι, το άλογο, το πρόβατο, ο πίθηκος, ο κόκορας, ο σκύλος και ο χοίρος.The twelve Chinese zodiac signs are the rat, the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the rooster, the dog, and the pig.This sentence shows the use of αρουραίος when listing the animals of the Chinese zodiac.Tatoeba #1341066 by enteka, translation #9193332 by Nylez
- Ο αρουραίος είναι ένα επιβλαβές ζώο.The rat is a harmful animal.
- Ο αρουραίος έκλεψε το φαγητό μου.O arouraios eklese to fagito mou.The rat stole my food.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rat” translations and entries αρουραίος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries αρουραίος, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
