γραφείς
grafeis
The English phrase "scribes" is translated into Greek as γραφείς (grafeis).
The term refers to people whose professional role in ancient times was to copy documents and maintain records.
Which one should you use?
Γραμματείς is a more formal way to refer to scribes.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is grafeis.
Did you know?
- The word γραφείς shares a root with 'graphite' and 'graphic'. All these terms derive from the Greek verb γράφω, which means 'to write' or 'to scratch'.
- Ancient Greek scribes often used a 'stylus' on wax tablets, where the act of γράφω involved scratching a groove rather than applying ink.
- In the New Testament, γραμματείς describes a specific social class of legal scholars who interpreted the law, regardless of whether they were currently copying text.
Examples in context
- Οι γραμματείς αντέγραφαν τα αρχαία χειρόγραφα με ακρίβεια.The scribes transcribed the ancient manuscripts meticulously.
- Οι γραμματείς στις μέρες μας παίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο στον τομέα της τεκμηρίωσης και της διοικητικής εργασίας.The modern-day scribes play an important role in documentation and administrative work.
