τρομακτικός
tromaktikós/tɾo.ma.ktiˈkos/
The Greek word for scary is τρομακτικός (tromaktikós).
τρομακτικός is an adjective used to describe something that causes fear or anxiety. You can intensify this feeling by using the word πολύ (very) or εξαιρετικά (extremely) before the adjective.
Meaning: causing fear or anxiety (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the root τρομάω (tromáo), which means to frighten or to terrify.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, τρομακτικός must change its ending to match the gender and number of the noun it describes. Use τρομακτική for feminine nouns, τρομακτικό for neuter nouns and τρομακτικοί for masculine plural nouns. For feminine plural nouns, use τρομακτικές.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is tromaktikós. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable.
Did you know?
- While τρομακτικός means 'scary', Greeks often use the word φοβερός to describe something 'terrible' or 'scary', but it can also mean 'wonderful' or 'awesome' depending on the context.
- Greek has a distinct word, φόβος, for 'fear', which is the root of the English word 'phobia', showing how a Greek noun for a scary feeling became a medical term in English.
- The Greek root τρομάω is related to the concept of 'shuddering' or 'trembling', linking the feeling of fear to a physical vibration of the body.
Examples in context
- Αυτή η ταινία ήταν πραγματικά τρομακτική!This movie was truly terrifying!
- Ο κακός χαρακτήρας στο βιβλίο ήταν πραγματικά φοβερός.The villain in the book was truly frightening.
- Ήταν μια φρικτή ιστορία που μου είπε.It was a horrifying story he told me.
- Είναι ένας τρομακτικός ήχος.Eínai énas tromaktikós íchos.It is a scary sound.
Example conversation
Kostas and Eleni are talking about a haunted house.
- Κώστας KostasΘέλεις να πάμε σε εκείνο το σπίτι;Theleis na pame se ekino to spiti?Do you want to go to that house?
- Ελένη EleniΌχι, φαίνεται πολύ τρομακτικός ο κήπος του.Ochi, fainetai poly tromaktikos o kipos tou.No, its garden looks very scary.
- Κώστας KostasΔεν είναι τίποτα, είναι μόνο παλιό.Den einai tipota, einai mono palio.It's nothing, it's just old.
- Ελένη EleniΠαρ' όλα αυτά, δεν θα πάω.Par' ola afta, den tha pao.Despite all that, I won't go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scary” translations and entries τρομακτικός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
