αγενής
agenís/aʝeˈnis/masculine
The Greek word for rude is αγενής (agenís).
αγενής is an adjective used to describe someone who is bad-mannered. While αγενής describes the person, the noun Αναίδεια can be used to refer to the concept of insolence or impudence itself.
Meaning: bad-mannered (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word αγενής is built from the prefix α-, meaning 'without' or 'not'.
Which one should you use?
To express that someone is extremely rude, you can use the superlative form αγενέστατος.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Thessaloniki and the northern regions of Greece, the informal term τσιφούτης is used to describe someone who is rude or brash.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word αγενής is used for the masculine form. The feminine form is also written as αγενής, though it may be used in different grammatical contexts. If the adjective is the direct object of a verb, such as in the phrase 'seeing him as rude', you use the accusative form αγενή.
How do you pronounce it?
agenís (/aʝeˈnis/)
Did you know?
- In Greek culture, calling someone αγενής can be a more severe social critique than in English, as it suggests a fundamental lack of παιδεία, which means both 'education' and 'upbringing'.
- The root of αγενής is related to γενιά, meaning 'generation' or 'birth', making a rude person literally someone 'without lineage'.
- While αγενής describes a lack of manners, the word αναίδεια shares a root with the word for 'shame', suggesting that insolence is a lack of modesty.
Examples in context
- Γίνεσαι αγενής.You're being rude.This sentence describes the act of being rude using αγενής.Tatoeba #5353366 by Zeus, translation #5353361 by CK
- Αυτή η υπάλληλος ήταν αγενέστατη.That employee was most rude.This sentence uses the superlative form to show an employee was most rude.
- Μην είσαι τόσο αγενής!Don't be so rude!This sentence is a command to stop being so rude using αγενής.Tatoeba #11189503 by carlosalberto, translation #11189498 by carlosalberto
- Η αναίδεια σας είναι απαράδεκτη.Your insolence is unacceptable.
- Έλα ρε, άσε με!Come on, leave me alone!
- Δε με κοιτάς. Κοίτα με όταν σου μιλάω!Aren't you looking at me? Look at me when I'm talking to you!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nikos and Kyriaki are discussing a waiter they encountered.
- Νίκος NikosΟ σερβιτόρος ήταν πολύ αγενής μαζί μας.O servitoros itan poly agenis mazi mas.The waiter was very rude to us.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΈχεις δίκιο, δεν μας χαιρέτησε καν.Echeis dikio, den mas chairetise kan.You are right, he didn't even greet us.
- Νίκος NikosΔεν πρέπει να είναι έτσι ένας υπάλληλος.Den prepei na einai etsi enas ypallilos.An employee should not be like that.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΣυμφωνώ, ήταν πραγματικά αγενής.Symfono, itan pragmatika agenis.I agree, he was truly rude.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rude” translations and entries αγενής, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
