ποτάμι
potámi/poˈta.mi/neuter
The English word 'river' is translated into Greek as ποτάμι (potámi). Wiktionary also lists ποταμός (potamós).
Meaning: large stream which drains a landmass (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ποτάμι | potámi | /poˈta.mi/ | neuter |
| ποταμός | potamós | masculine |
Both Greek terms are used to describe a large stream of water that drains a landmass. While these terms refer to rivers, note that the word ρέμα is more commonly used to describe smaller rivers, streams or creeks.
Which one should you use?
ποτάμι is the common, everyday word used in colloquial speech, while ποταμός is a more formal or geographical term used when discussing large rivers.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ποτάμι is a neuter noun. Its plural form is ποτάμια.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /poˈta.mi/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: po-TA-mi.
Did you know?
- The word ποταμός appears in the name of 'Mesopotamia' which literally means 'between two rivers' in Ancient Greek.
- In Greek mythology, the 'Potamoi' were the personifications of rivers and were considered the sons of Oceanus.
- The Greek word ποταμός is the root of the English word 'potamology' which is the scientific study of rivers.
Examples in context
- Πήγα στο ποτάμι για ψάρεμα.I went fishing in the river.This example shows how to use the neuter form ποτάμι regarding an activity.Tatoeba #5518388 by Zeus, translation #259107 by Eldad
- Βλέπω τη θάλασσα και το ποτάμι.I see the sea and the river.This example demonstrates the use of the neuter form ποτάμι when observing nature.Tatoeba #4346960 by glavkos, translation #9111456 by Nylez
- Στο Λονδίνο είναι ο ποταμός Τάμεσης.The river Thames is in London.This example demonstrates the use of the masculine form ποταμός when referring to a specific river by name.Tatoeba #1562579 by glavkos, translation #9036547 by Nylez
- Ο ποταμός είναι μια φυσική ροή νερού που κατευθύνεται προς τη θάλασσα.The river is a natural flow of water that flows towards the sea.
- Το ρέμα κοντά στο χωριό είναι πολύ όμορφο.The creek near the village is very beautiful.
- Το νερό του ποταμού είναι καθαρό.The river water is clean.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia and Giorgos are looking at a map of the region.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΠού είναι το ποτάμι σε αυτόν τον χάρτη;Pou einai to potami se afton ton charti;Where is the river on this map?
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίναι εδώ, δίπλα στο χωριό.Einai edo, dipla sto chorio.It is here, next to the village.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕίναι πολύ μεγάλο το ποτάμι αυτό!Einai poly megalo to potami afto!This river is very large!
- Γιώργος GiorgosΝαι, είναι ο πιο μακρινός δρόμος.Nai, einai o pio makrinos dromos.Yes, it is the longest way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “river” translations and entries ποτάμι, ποταμός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
