κοχύλι
kochýli
The English word 'shell' is translated into Greek as κοχύλι (kochýli).
κοχύλι refers to the hard calcareous or chitinous external covering of many invertebrates, such as a seashell.
Meaning: hard calcareous or chitinous external covering of many invertebrates (noun)
Which one should you use?
While κοχύλι refers specifically to the shell of a mollusk (like a snail), you should use καβούκι when referring to the hard shell of a turtle or an insect. Additionally, κοχύλι is not used for mechanical or protective shells like a bullet shell or an armored casing. For those, terms like κέλυφος or θωρηύς are used instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of κοχύλι is κοχύλια. If you need to say 'of the shell', use the genitive singular form του κοχυλιού.
How do you pronounce it?
kochýli
Did you know?
- The Greek word κοχύλι shares a common ancestor with the English word 'cockle', which refers to a type of edible saltwater mollusk.
- In Greek mythology, the 'shell' motif often appears in tales of Aphrodite, who was born from the sea foam and associated with the beauty of κοχύλια.
- While κοχύλι describes a seashell, the word for a protective casing or a bullet shell is κέλυφος, which also means 'husk' or 'pod'.
Examples in context
- Βρήκα ένα όμορφο κοχύλι στην παραλία.I found a beautiful shell on the beach.
- Βρήκα ένα μεγάλο κοχύλι στην παραλία.Vrìka éna megàlo kochýli stin paralía.I found a large shell on the beach.
- Το κοχύλι είναι πολύ λεπτό.To kochýli eínai polý leptó.The shell is very thin.
- Αυτό το κοχύλι είναι άδειο.Aftó to kochýli eínai ádeio.This shell is empty.
Example conversation
Kyriaki and Dimitris are walking on the beach.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΚοίτα, Δημήτρη, αυτό το κοχύλι!Koita, Dimitri, auto to kochyli!Look, Dimitris, this shell!
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕίναι πραγματικά πολύ ιδιαίτερο.Einai pragmatika poly idiaitero.It is truly very special.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΘέλω να το κρατήσω.Thelo na to kratiso.I want to keep it.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΒάλτο στην τσέπη σου, Κυριακή.Valto stin tsepi sou, Kyriaki.Put it in your pocket, Kyriaki.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries κοχύλι, CC BY-SA 4.0.
