κάθομαι
káthomai/ˈkaθome/
The English verb sit is translated into Greek as κάθομαι (káthomai).
The verb refers to a person being in a position in which the upper body is upright and the legs are supported.
Meaning: of a person, be in a position in which the upper body is upright and the legs are supported (verb)
Which one should you use?
While English speakers might try to use the verb transitively to mean 'to seat someone', in Greek, κάθομαι is an intransitive verb used specifically for the act of sitting.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form κάθομαι is the first-person singular present indicative, meaning 'I sit'.
Did you know?
- During the Byzantine era, the verb κάθομαι expanded its meaning beyond sitting to mean 'I stay' or 'I reside'.
- In Ancient Greek, the root of κάθομαι was used to describe not just the physical posture of sitting but the state of being idle or doing nothing.
- The word κάθισμα for 'seat' or 'chair' is derived from the perfective stem of the verb, focusing on the result of the action rather than the act of sitting itself.
Examples in context
- Μου αρέσει να κάθομαι πίσω στο λεωφορείο.I like to sit in the back of the bus.Tatoeba #3772215 by glavkos, translation #9247713 by Nylez
- Καλώς ήλθατε στο εστιατόριο μας, παρακαλώ καθίστε.Welcome to our restaurant, please have a seat.
- Έλα, κάτσε εκεί και ηρέμησε λίγο.Come, have a seat there and relax for a bit.
Example conversation
Anastasia and Kostas are in a waiting room.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕδώ κάθομαι εγώ, Κώστα.Edo kathomai ego, Kosta.I sit here, Kostas.
- Κώστας KostasΣυγγνώμη, δεν το ήξερα.Sygnomi, den to ixera.Sorry, I didn't know.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΔεν πειράζει, κάτσε δίπλα μου.Den pireiazei, katse dipla mou.It's okay, sit next to me.
- Κώστας KostasΕυχαριστώ, Αναστασία.Efcharisto, Anastasia.Thank you, Anastasia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sit” translations and entries κάθομαι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
