σκοτώνω
skotóno/skoˈto.no/
To slay in Greek is σκοτώνω (skotóno).
The verb σκοτώνω is used to express the act of killing or murdering.
Meaning: to kill, murder (verb)
Which one should you use?
While σκοτώνω is the standard verb for 'to kill', it is more common in everyday speech than the more formal or literary term εξολοθρεύω, which means to annihilate or slay.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the present indicative, σκοτώνω means 'I kill' and the third-person singular form is σκοτώνει, meaning 'he/she/it kills'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /skoˈto.no/. It has three syllables and the stress is on the second syllable: skotóno.
Did you know?
- Greek uses a separate, specialized verb σφάζω when talking about the slaughter of animals for food. Using σκοτώνω in a butcher shop would sound unnatural to a native speaker.
- While σκοτώνω is the general term for killing, Greeks use δολοφονώ specifically for 'murder'. This word combines δόλος, meaning 'deceit' or 'guile', with φόνος, meaning 'killing'.
- The word σκοτώνω originally meant 'to plunge into darkness' or 'to blind'. Over time, the idea of bringing someone into eternal darkness evolved into the modern meaning of 'to kill'.
Examples in context
- Η φίλη μου σκίζει στα φωνητικά.My friend slays in singing.
Example conversation
Giorgos and Maria are discussing a movie plot.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΠιστεύεις ότι σκοτώνω τον εχθρό στο τέλος;Pisteveis oti skotono ton echthro sto telos?Do you think I kill the enemy at the end?
- Μαρία MariaΝαι, Γιώργο, το κάνεις στην τελευταία σκηνή.Nai, Giorgo, to kaneis stin teleutaia skini.Yes, Giorgos, you do it in the last scene.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίναι πολύ σκληρό για τον ήρωα.Einai poly skliro gia ton iroa.It is very harsh for the hero.
- Μαρία MariaΑυτό κάνει την ιστορία ενδιαφέρουσα, Μαρία λέει.Auto kanei tin istoria endiaferousa, Maria lei.That makes the story interesting, Maria says.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slay” translations and entries σκοτώνω, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries σκοτώνω, CC BY-SA 4.0.
