έρπης ζωστήρας
erpis zostiras
The English phrase shingles is translated into Greek as έρπης ζωστήρας (erpis zostiras).
The term is used to refer to the medical condition herpes zoster.
Meaning: herpes zoster (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Northern Greece, such as in Macedonia, the term Μερμελιά is used as a regional variation for shingles.
How do you pronounce it?
erpis zostiras
Did you know?
- The term ζωστήρας is rarely used in modern Greek outside of this specific medical context, as other words for 'belt' have replaced it in daily life.
- The English word 'herpes' is a direct loanword from the Greek έρπης, meaning 'creep'.
- The second part of the term, ζωστήρας, comes from the word for 'belt' or 'girdle'. This refers to the way the painful rash often wraps around the torso like a belt.
Examples in context
- Ο γιατρός της πρότεινε κρέμα για να ανακουφιστεί από τη μερμελιά.The doctor recommended a cream to relieve her from the shingles.
Example conversation
Anastasia tells George why she missed a meeting.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΔεν ήρθα γιατί έπιασα έρπης ζωστήρας.Den írtha giatí épiasa érpis zostíras.I didn't come because I got shingles.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΛυπάμαι πολύ, Αναστασία. Πονάς πολύ;Lypámai polý, Anastasía. Ponás polý?I'm very sorry, Anastasia. Are you in a lot of pain?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝαι, ο έρπης ζωστήρας είναι πολύ επώδυνος.Ne, o érpis zostíras einai polý epódynos.Yes, shingles is very painful.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΑναρρώστε γρήγορα, Γιώργος είπε να ξεκουραστείτε.Anarróste grígora, Giórgos ípe na xekourastíte.Get well soon, George said to rest.
