κόκορας
kókorasmasculine
The Greek word for rooster is κόκορας (kókoras). Wiktionary also lists πετεινός (peteinós) and αλέκτορας (aléktoras).
Meaning: male chicken, male gallinaceous bird (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| κόκορας | kókoras | masculine |
| πετεινός | peteinós | masculine |
| αλέκτορας | aléktoras | masculine, poetic |
The term refers to a male chicken or a male gallinaceous bird.
Which one should you use?
κόκορας is the standard, everyday word for a rooster. πετεινός is a more formal or technical term often used in biological or elevated contexts. αλέκτορας is a rare and poetic form of the word.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use κόκορας in standard, everyday conversation. Use πετεινός for formal or technical purposes. Use αλέκτορας for poetic effect.
How does it change in a sentence?
κόκορας is a masculine noun. In the genitive singular case, it changes to του κόκορα.
How do you pronounce it?
kókoras
Did you know?
- The word κόκορας can be used colloquially to describe a man who is overly proud or boastful, similar to the English phrase 'cocky'.
- In Greek culture, the rooster is often associated with the 'wake up' call of the soul and is a common symbol of vigilance in religious iconography.
- The word κόκορας is onomatopoeic, meaning it was created to mimic the actual sound a rooster makes.
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 lists the animals of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs, including the κόκορας.Tatoeba #1341066 by enteka, translation #9193332 by Nylez
- Όταν βγαίνω από το σπίτι μου, ακούω πάντα τον βαλαωρίτη να κράζει.Whenever I leave my house, I always hear the rooster crowing.
- Ο κόκορας κάνει πολύ θόρυβο το πρωί.O kokoras kani poli thoryvo to proi.The rooster makes a lot of noise in the morning.
Example conversation
Eleni and Kostas are visiting a farm.
- Ελένη EleniΚόστα, κοίτα εκείνον τον κόκορα!Kosta, koita ekeinon ton kokora!Kostas, look at that rooster!
- Κώστας KostasΕίναι πολύ όμορφος και πολύ δυνατός.Einai poly omorfos kai poly dynatos.He is very beautiful and very strong.
- Ελένη EleniΠιστεύεις ότι ο κόκορας είναι θυμωμένος;Pisteueis oti o kokoras einai thymomenos?Do you think the rooster is angry?
- Κώστας KostasΝαι, καλύτερα να μην τον πλησιάσουμε.Nai, kalytera na min ton plisiasoume.Yes, it is better if we don't go near him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rooster” translations and entries κόκορας, πετεινός, αλέκτορας, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries αλέκτορας, κόκορας, πετεινός, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
