φασκόμηλο
faskómilo
The English word 'sage' can translate to several different Greek terms depending on whether you are referring to the herb or a wise person. The default form is φασκόμηλο (faskómilo).
φασκόμηλο refers to the herb, while σοφός is used to describe a person who is wise. If you are speaking in a botanical context about the plant or shrub itself, you may use φασκομηλιά.
Meaning: wise (adj)
Which one should you use?
φασκόμηλο refers specifically to the herb, whereas σοφός refers to a person who is wise. Additionally, while φασκόμηλο is the common name for the herb, φασκομηλιά is often used to describe the sage plant or shrub in botanical settings.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In botanical contexts, the noun φασκομηλιά is used to refer to the sage plant or shrub, whereas φασκόμηλο is the common name for the herb.
How do you pronounce it?
faskómilo
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use φασκόμηλο to mean 'wise'. If you want to describe a person as wise, you must use σοφός instead.
Did you know?
- The word φασκόμηλο literally translates to 'stinking apple' because of the plant's strong scent.
- In Greek folk medicine, φασκόμηλο is often used as a gargle for sore throats and a remedy for memory loss.
- Greek distinguishes between the processed herb φασκόμηλο and the living shrub φασκομηλιά using a specific suffix.
Examples in context
- Μυρίζει σαν φασκόμηλο.It smells like sage.This sentence is useful for describing how something smells using φασκόμηλο.Tatoeba #9824933 by Nylez, translation #10804817 by ddnktr
Example conversation
George and Eleni are cooking dinner together.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΈχουμε φρέσκο φασκόμηλο στην κουζίνα;Échoume phrésko phaskómilo stin kouzína?Do we have fresh sage in the kitchen?
- Ελένη EleniΝαι, είναι μέσα στο ψυγείο, Γιώργο.Nai, eínai mésa sto psygeío, Giórgo.Yes, it is inside the fridge, George.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΤέλεια, θα το χρησιμοποιήσω για τη σάλτσα.Télia, tha to chrisimopoíso gia ti sáltsa.Great, I will use it for the sauce.
- Ελένη EleniΟρίστε το φασκόμηλο, Ελένη το βρήκε!Oríste to phaskómilo, Eléni to vríke!Here is the sage, Eleni found it!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry φασκόμηλο, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
