κοντός
kontós/konˈdos/
The English word "short" can be translated into Greek as κοντός (kontós).
It can also describe a person's manner as being abrupt, brief, pointed or petulant.
Meaning: abrupt, brief, pointed, petulant (adj)
Which one should you use?
While κοντός refers specifically to physical height or length, the word μικρός is used to mean "small" in size or "young" in age.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular is κοντός, the feminine singular is κοντή and the neuter singular is κοντό. For plural forms, use κοντοί for masculine and κοντές for feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
kontós
Did you know?
- In Ancient Greece, a κοντός was a specific type of cavalry lance that was shorter than the traditional phalanx spear.
- If a Greek speaker wants to say someone is 'short-tempered', they would not use κοντός but rather a phrase meaning 'easily ignited'.
- Greek has a distinct word for 'short' when referring to time or duration, σύντομος, which cannot be replaced by κοντός.
Examples in context
- Ο Τομ είναι κοντός.Tom is short.This sentence shows how to use κοντός to describe a person.Tatoeba #5453479 by Zeus, translation #1024873 by CK
- Είμαι κοντός.I am short.This sentence uses κοντός to describe oneself.Tatoeba #5452356 by Zeus, translation #436273 by lukaszpp
- Είμαι πολύ κοντός.I'm very short.This sentence demonstrates how to add an intensifier with κοντός.Tatoeba #2467834 by Zeus, translation #2355816 by CK
- Ο κύριος Σμίθ είναι μεγάλος, ενώ ο κύριος Τζόουνς είναι μικρός.Mr. Smith is tall, while Mr. Jones is short.
Example conversation
Maria is upset with how Kostas answered her question.
- Μαρία MariaΓιατί είσαι τόσο κοντός μαζί μου σήμερα;Giati eisai toso kontos mazi mou simera?Why are you so short with me today?
- Κώστας KostasΔεν είμαι, απλώς είμαι πολύ κουρασμένος.Den eimai, aplos eimai poly kourasmenos.I'm not, I'm just very tired.
- Μαρία MariaΗ απάντησή σου ήταν πολύ κοντή και απότομη.I apantisi sou itan poly konti kai apotomi.Your answer was very short and abrupt.
- Κώστας KostasΣυγγνώμη, Μαρία, δεν το κατάλαβα.Sygnomi, Maria, den to katalava.Sorry, Maria, I didn't realize it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry κοντός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
