άγιος
ágios/ˈa.ʝi.os/masculine
The Greek word for saint is άγιος (ágios). Wiktionary also lists αγία (agía).
Meaning: person proclaimed as saint (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| άγιος | ágios | /ˈa.ʝi.os/ /ˈa.ʝos/ |
masculine |
| αγία | agía | /a.ˈʝi.a/ | feminine |
The word άγιος functions both as a noun meaning 'saint' and as an adjective meaning 'holy' or 'sacred'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine plural form of the noun is άγιοι, the feminine plural form of the noun is άγιες and the neuter form of the noun is άγιο.
How do you pronounce it?
ágios (3 syllables, stress on the 1st syllable)
When do people say it?
When used as a title before a name (e.g., Saint Nicholas), the word is capitalized: Άγιος.
Did you know?
- In Greece, the date of a person's 'name day' is the feast day of the άγιος they are named after, which is often celebrated more prominently than their actual birthday.
- Ancient Greeks used άγιος to describe things that were 'set apart' or 'separate', and it did not always carry a moral connotation of goodness.
- The Greek word άγιος is the linguistic ancestor of the English word 'hagiography', which refers to the writing of the lives of saints.
Examples in context
- Ζει ζωή αγίας.She lives a life of a saint.This sentence uses αγία.
- Η πεθερά μου είναι μία αγία. Πώς άντεχε το γιο της;My mother-in-law is a saint. How did she put up with her son?
- Ο δάσκαλός μου είναι ένας άγιος. Πώς με αντέχει, Κάνω συνεχώς λάθη.My teacher is a saint. How does he put up with me? I keep making mistakes.This sentence uses άγιος.
Example conversation
Anastasia and Nikos are looking at a religious icon in a church.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΠοιος είναι αυτός ο άγιος;Poios einai aftos o agios?Who is this saint?
- Νίκος NikosΕίναι ο άγιος Νικόλαος.Einai o agios Nikolaos.It is Saint Nicholas.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕίναι πολύ όμορφο το εικονίδιο.Einai poly omoro to eikonidio.The icon is very beautiful.
- Νίκος NikosΝαι, είναι ένας πολύ αγαπημένος άγιος.Ne, einai enas poly agapimenos agios.Yes, he is a very beloved saint.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “saint” translations and entries άγιος, αγία, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
