βούλωσ' το, ηλίθιε!
voúlos' to, ilíthie!
The English phrase "shut up, idiot!" is translated into Greek as βούλωσ' το, ηλίθιε! (voúlos' to, ilíthie!)
This is a rude command used to tell someone to stop talking while simultaneously insulting their intelligence.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ηλίθιε is the vocative case of ηλίθιος, which is used because you are addressing the person directly.
How do you pronounce it?
voúlos' to, ilíthie!
Did you know?
- The verb inside βούλωσ' το is related to the word for 'plugging' or 'stopping up' a hole. To tell someone to shut up in Greek is literally to tell them to plug their mouth.
- The word ηλίθιος is used in Modern Greek, but in Ancient Greek, the term was often used to describe people who were simply common or unremarkable, rather than lacking intelligence.
- In some Greek dialects, telling someone to 'shut it' is expressed by saying κλείσε το, which literally means 'close it', treating the person's mouth like a door or a window.
Examples in context
- Κλείσε το στόμα σου, καραγκιόζη!Shut your mouth, clown!
Example conversation
A couple is arguing over a board game.
- Ελένη EleniΕίσαι τόσο αργός στο παιχνίδι!Eisai toso argos sto paignidi!You are so slow at the game!
- Νίκος NikosΔεν είναι φταίξιμο μου.Den einai ftaiximo mou.It's not my fault.
- Ελένη EleniΒούλωσ' το, ηλίθιε!Voulo' to, ilithie!Shut up, idiot!
- Νίκος NikosΠώς με λες vậy;Pos me的 leis vya?How can you call me that?
