παπούτσι
papoútsi/paˈpu.t͡si/neuter
The Greek word for shoe is παπούτσι (papoútsi). Wiktionary also lists υπόδημα (ypódima).
Meaning: protective covering for the foot (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| παπούτσι | papoútsi | /paˈpu.t͡si/ | neuter |
| υπόδημα | ypódima | neuter |
Both forms refer to a protective covering for the foot. The related verb πεταλώνω specifically means to put horseshoes on a horse.
Which one should you use?
υπόδημα is a more formal or technical term, often used in contexts like 'footwear' or in official/commercial descriptions.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both words are neuter nouns. The plural of παπούτσι is παπούτσια, and the plural of υπόδημα is υποδήματα.
How do you pronounce it?
papoútsi. The stress is on the second of three syllables.
Did you know?
- In some Greek folk traditions, hiding a παπούτσι under a pillow was once believed to help a person find their future spouse.
- While 'παπούτσι' is the everyday word for a shoe, its roots actually lie in Ottoman Turkish, not Ancient Greek. It entered the Greek language through the Persian word 'pāpōš'.
- The word υπόδημα is constructed from υπό, meaning 'under', and δέμα, meaning 'bond' or 'band', literally describing something tied under the foot.
Examples in context
- Ο πατέρας τους είχε ένα μεγάλο μαγαζί με παπούτσια στην πόλη.Their father had a large shoe shop in the town.This sentence illustrates the use of παπούτσι in the context of a shop.Tatoeba #4357292 by Tensai, translation #305296 by CK
- Η ζωή δεν είναι παραμύθι. Αν χάσεις το παπούτσι σου μεσάνυχτα, είσαι μεθυσμένος.Life is not a fairytale. If you lose your shoe at midnight, you're drunk.This sentence shows παπούτσι within a humorous or idiomatic remark.Tatoeba #3399065 by Zeus, translation #3399060 by Jesse
- Αυτό το παπούτσι είναι υπερβολικά μικρό για μένα.This shoe is too small for me.This sentence demonstrates how to use παπούτσι when describing the size of a shoe.Tatoeba #9628510 by TurkishReform, translation #9524900 by DJ_Saidez
- Μετά την βόλτα, ξέχασα τα παπούτσια μου στο γραφείο.After the walk, I forgot my shoes in the office.
- Πήγαμε στις παραλίες και ξέχασα τα παπούτσα μου στο αυτοκίνητο!We went to the beaches, and I forgot my shoes in the car!
Example conversation
Eleni and Dimitris are looking for a lost item in the living room.
- Ελένη EleniΒρήκες το παπούτσι μου;Vrikes to papoutsi mou;Did you find my shoe?
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΌχι, δεν το βλέπω.Ochi, den to blepo.No, I don't see it.
- Ελένη EleniΕίναι ένα μικρό παπούτσι.Einai ena mikro papoutsi.It is a small shoe.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΤο βρήκα κάτω από τον καναπέ!To vrika kato apo ton kanape!I found it under the sofa!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shoe” translations and entries παπούτσι, υπόδημα, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries παπούτσι, υπόδημα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
