Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| κοράκι | koráki | /koˈɾa.ki/ | neuter |
| κόρακας | kórakas | masculine |
The term refers to species of birds in the genus Corvus characterized by lustrous black plumage. While it specifically refers to a raven, it is also the standard word used for a crow.
Which one should you use?
In everyday Greek, the distinction between a raven and a crow is often ignored and the word κοράκι is used for both. Use the masculine form κόρακας when referring specifically to a male bird or in a generic masculine sense, while the neuter form κοράκι is the most common way to refer to the bird in a general or collective sense.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form κόρακας is masculine, whereas κοράκι is neuter. Related to these is the adjective κορακίσιος, which describes something as being raven-black or jet-black in color and the related form κορακί.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /koˈɾa.ki/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The modern neuter word κοράκι is actually a diminutive form of the ancient word for the bird, meaning it literally implies a 'little crow'.
- In Greek folklore, the κοράκι is often seen as a messenger of death or a bringer of bad luck, and seeing one can be considered an omen of tragedy.
- In Ancient Greece, the κόραξ was associated with Apollo, the god of prophecy, because of the bird's perceived ability to foresee the future.
Examples in context
- Το κοράκι είναι ένα από τα έξυπνα πτηνά της ελληνικής φύσης.The raven is one of the intelligent birds of Greek nature.
- Ένα μαύρο κοράκι πέρασε από το παράθυρο.Éna mavro koráki pérase apó to paráthyro.A black raven flew past the window.
- Το κοράκι στέκεται πάνω στο δέντρο.To koráki stéketai páno sto déndro.The raven is standing on the tree.
- Είδα ένα κοράκι στον κήπο μας.Eída éna koráki ston kípo mas.I saw a raven in our garden.
Example conversation
George and Kyriaki are walking in a park.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΚοίτα, Κυριακή, εκείνο το κοράκι!Koita, Kyriaki, ekino to koraki!Look, Kyriaki, that raven!
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕίναι όντως πολύ μεγάλο.Einai ontos poly megalo.It really is very large.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΝομίζω ότι μας ακολουθεί.Nomizo oti mas akolouthei.I think it is following us.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΊσως θέλει κάτι από εμάς.Isos thelei kati apo emas.Maybe it wants something from us.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “raven” translations and entries κοράκι, κόρακας, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries κοράκι, κόρακας, CC BY-SA 4.0.
