μάντης
mántis/ˈman.dis/
The Greek word for 'seer' is μάντης (mántis).
μάντης is a noun used to describe someone who foretells the future.
Meaning: someone who foretells the future (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate possession or to say 'of a seer', use the genitive singular form μάντη.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as mán-tis (ˈman.dis). The stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word μάντης is the root of the English word 'mantis', which refers to the praying mantis insect. This connection stems from the Greek idea of the insect 'prophet' or 'diviner' due to its still, meditative posture.
- In Ancient Greece, a μάντης often used 'extispicy', the practice of reading the future in the entrails of sacrificed animals, rather than just using dreams or visions.
- The concept of 'mancy' in English words like 'chiromancy' (palm reading) or 'pyromancy' (fire divination) is derived from the root of μάντης.
Examples in context
- Ο μάντης προέβλεψε με ακρίβεια την εξέλιξη του πολέμου.The seer accurately predicted the course of the war.
- Ο προφήτης μίλησε για τη μελλοντική εποχή.The seer spoke of the future era.
Example conversation
Dimitris and Eleni are discussing a fortune teller they visited.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΤι είπε ο μάντης για εσένα, Ελένη;Ti eipe o mantis gia esena, Eleni?What did the seer say about you, Eleni?
- Ελένη EleniΕίπε ότι θα ταξιδέψω σύντομα.Eipe oti tha taxidepso syntoma.He said that I will travel soon.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΑυτός ο μάντης είναι πολύ διάσημος.Aftos o mantis einai poly diasimos.This seer is very famous.
- Ελένη EleniΕλπίζω να έχει δίκιο.Elpizo na echei dikio.I hope he is right.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry μάντης, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries μάντης, CC BY-SA 4.0.
