How to Say "Root" in Greek - How To Say Guide

ρίζα

ríza/ˈɾi.za/feminine

The English word 'root' is translated into Greek as ρίζα (ríza).

ρίζα is used to refer to the part of a plant and is also used in mathematics, such as in the term 'square root'.

Meaning: part of a plant (noun)

How does it change in a sentence?

The plural form of ρίζα is ρίζες.

The word is pronounced as /ˈɾi.za/. It has two syllables and the stress is on the first syllable.

While ρίζα refers to the plant part, Greek uses a different word for the 'root' of a tooth, showing a distinction between botanical and anatomical roots.
The word ρίζα is the ancestor of the English word 'rhizome', used in botany to describe certain types of underground stems.
In Greek, you can use ρίζα metaphorically to talk about the 'root' of a problem, just like in English, but it is also frequently used to describe the 'root' or source of a person's lineage or family history.

Η τετραγωνική ρίζα του εννέα είναι τρία.
The square root of nine is three.
This sentence shows how to use ρίζα in a mathematical context.
Tatoeba #11562739 by carlosalberto, translation #11562732 by carlosalberto
Η ρίζα του προβλήματος βρίσκεται στην έλλειψη επικοινωνίας.
The root of the problem lies in the lack of communication.
Θα χρειαστεί να φυτέψετε τη ρίζα αυτού του φυτού πιο βαθιά.
You'll need to plant the root of this plant deeper.
Η ρίζα του δέντρου είναι πολύ μεγάλη.
I ríza tou déntrou íne polý megáli.
The root of the tree is very large.
Αυτό το φυτό έχει μακριά ρίζα.
Aftó to fytó échei makriá ríza.
This plant has a long root.

Kyriaki and Nikos are gardening together.

Κυριακή Kyriaki

Κοίτα, αυτή η ρίζα είναι τεράστια!
Koita, afti i riza einai terastia!
Look, this root is huge!
Νίκος Nikos

Πού την βρήκες, Κυριακή;
Pou tin vrikes, Kyriaki?
Where did you find it, Kyriaki?
Κυριακή Kyriaki

Ήταν κάτω από το χώμα εδώ.
Itan kato apo to choma edo.
It was under the soil here.
Νίκος Nikos

Ας τη βγάλουμε προσεκτικά.
As ti vgaloume prosektika.
Let's pull it out carefully.

Sources

Wiktionary, “root” translations and entries ρίζα, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries ρίζα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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