ντροπαλός
ntropalós/dɾopaˈlos/
The English word shy is translated into Greek as ντροπαλός (ntropalós).
The word is an adjective used to describe someone who is reserved.
Meaning: reserved (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form is ντροπαλή and the neuter form is ντροπαλά. For plural forms, use ντροπαλοί for masculine or mixed groups and ντροπαλές for feminine groups.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /dɾopaˈlos/ (ntropalós).
Did you know?
- The root of ντροπαλός comes from the Ancient Greek verb ἐντρέπω, which literally means 'to turn away'.
- In Greek, the word for 'shame' ντροπή can be used as a standalone exclamation to tell someone they should be ashamed of themselves, regardless of whether they are a 'shy' person.
- The Greek word for 'shyness' as a noun, ντροπιά, is often used in idiomatic expressions regarding someone's dignity or sense of propriety.
Examples in context
- Ο Τομ φαινόταν ντροπαλός.Tom seemed shy.This sentence shows how to use ντροπαλός to describe how someone appeared.Tatoeba #5537083 by Zeus, translation #5053970 by CK
- Μην είσαι ντροπαλός. Μίλησε μου.Don't be shy. Talk to me.This sentence uses ντροπαλός in a command to not be shy.Tatoeba #3179387 by Zeus, translation #2906520 by sundown
- Είσαι ντροπαλός.You're shy.This sentence uses ντροπαλός to state that someone is shy.Tatoeba #5458048 by Zeus, translation #2203344 by CK
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nikos and Eleni are talking about a new colleague at work.
- Νίκος NikosΕίναι λίγο ντροπαλός με την πρώτη.Einai ligo ntropalos me tin proti.He is a bit shy at first.
- Ελένη EleniΝαι, αλλά είναι πολύ ευγενικός άνθρωπος.Ne, alla einai poly evgenikos anthropos.Yes, but he is a very polite person.
- Νίκος NikosΘα τον βοηθήσουμε να μιλήσει παραπάνω.Tha ton voithisoume na milisei parapano.We will help him talk more.
- Ελένη EleniΕίναι καλή ιδέα, Νίκο.Einai kali idea, Niko.That is a good idea, Nikos.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shy” translations and entries ντροπαλός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ντροπαλός, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
