χαίρομαι
chairomai
To rejoice in Greek is χαίρομαι (chairomai).
The verb χαίρομαι is used to express being happy or to rejoice.
Meaning: to be happy (verb)
Which one should you use?
While χαίρομαι means to be happy or to rejoice, it is distinct from the verb χαίρω, which is a transitive verb meaning 'to please' or 'to delight'.
How do you pronounce it?
chairomai
Did you know?
- While χαίρομαι describes the feeling of joy, the word for 'happiness' as a general state of being is ευτυχία, which literally translates to 'good luck'.
- The ancient greeting χαίρε comes from the same root as χαίρομαι and literally meant 'rejoice' or 'be glad', functioning like the English 'hello'.
- The Proto-Indo-European root *ǵʰer- is believed to be connected to words describing warmth or heat, suggesting that joy was once perceived as a warm sensation.
Examples in context
- Χαίρομαι που βρίσκομαι εδώ!I am delighted to be here!
- Ευφραίνομαι που ακούω τα καλά σας νέα!I rejoice to hear your good news!
- Χαίρομαι πολύ για την είδηση.Chairomai poli gia tin eidisi.I am very happy about the news.
- Χαίρομαι για τη νέα σου δουλειά.Chairomai gia ti nea sou douleia.I am happy for your new job.
Example conversation
Two friends meeting at a cafe after a long time.
- Μαρία MariaΧαίρομαι πολύ που σε βλέπω, Κώστα!Chairomai poli pou se vlepo, Kosta!I am very happy to see you, Kostas!
- Κώστας KostasΚι εγώ χαίρομαι που σε βρίσκω εδώ, Μαρία.Ki ego chairomai pou se vrisko edo, Maria.And I am happy to find you here, Maria.
- Μαρία MariaΠώς είσαι. Χαίρομαι που είσαι καλά.Pos eisai? Chairomai pou eisai kala.How are you? I am happy that you are well.
- Κώστας KostasΕίμαι πολύ καλά, ευχαριστώ!Eimai poli kala, efcharisto!I am very well, thank you!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries χαίρομαι, CC BY-SA 4.0.
