θάλασσα
thálassa[ˈθalasa]feminine
The English word 'sea' is translated into Greek as θάλασσα (thálassa). Wiktionary also lists πέλαγος (pélagos) and πόντος (póntos).
Meaning: body of water (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| θάλασσα | thálassa | [ˈθalasa] (narrow) | feminine |
| πέλαγος | pélagos | /ˈpe.la.ɣos/ | neuter |
| πόντος | póntos | /ˈpon.dos/ | masculine |
The term refers to a body of water.
Which one should you use?
θάλασσα is the standard, everyday word for 'sea' used in most contexts. πέλαγος refers more specifically to the open sea or the deep sea. πόντος is a more archaic or literary term for the sea, often used in classical or poetic literature.
How does it change in a sentence?
θάλασσα is a feminine noun. Its genitive singular form is της θάλασσας (of the sea), and its genitive plural form is των θαλασσών (of the seas). πέλαγος is a neuter noun, and πόντος is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
thálassa
Did you know?
- The word θάλασσα is the root of the English word 'thalassophobia', which describes a pathological fear of the ocean or deep bodies of water.
- In Greek, the word θάλασσα is often used colloquially to describe the coast or the beach, not just the water itself.
- The word θάλασσα has a living relative in the Tsakonian dialect, where it is spoken as θάσσα.
Examples in context
- Η θάλασσα είναι πράσινη.The sea is green.This sentence describes the color of the sea using θάλασσα.Tatoeba #2504482 by Zeus, translation #2504015 by _undertoad
- Η θάλασσα είναι γαλάζια.The sea is blue.Tatoeba #2504484 by glavkos, translation #2396999 by Hayabusa
- Υπάρχουν νησιά στη θάλασσα.There are islands in the sea.This sentence mentions islands in the sea using θάλασσα.Tatoeba #3669009 by glavkos, translation #3663249 by shekitten
- Πάμε για μια βουτιά στη θάλασσα?Shall we go for a swim in the sea?
- Η θάλασσα ήταν πολύ καλή σήμερα!The sea was very good today!
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nikos and Kyriaki are planning a trip to the coast.
- Νίκος NikosΘέλω να πάω στη θάλασσα αυτό το Σαββατοκύριακο.Thelo na pao sti thalassa afto to Savvatokyriako.I want to go to the sea this weekend.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕίναι πολύ καλή ιδέα, Νίκο.Einai poly kali idea, Niko.That is a very good idea, Nikos.
- Νίκος NikosΠοια θάλασσα προτιμάς, την Ιονική ή την Αιγαιοπελαγία;Pia thalassa protimas, tin Ioniki i tin Aigaiopelagia?Which sea do you prefer, the Ionian or the Aegean?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠροτιμώ την Ιονική θάλασσα, Κυριακή.Protimo tin Ioniki thalassa, Kyriaki.I prefer the Ionian sea, Kyriaki.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sea” translations and entries θάλασσα, πέλαγος, πόντος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
