χαμόγελο
chamógelo/xaˈmo.ʝe.lo/
The English word "smile" can be expressed in Greek as χαμόγελο (chamógelo).
When you want to use the verb form "to smile" (the act of having a smile on one's face), you should use Χαμογελάω.
Meaning: to have a smile on one's face (verb)
Which one should you use?
Related nouns for a happy facial expression include χαμογέλιο and χαμογέλασμα.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
chamógelo. The stress is on the second syllable of the four-syllable word.
Did you know?
- In Greek, a smile χαμόγελο is often described as something that 'blooms' ανθίζει on a person's face, treating the expression like a flower.
- While English speakers might 'crack a smile', Greeks use the verb χαμογελάω alongside the phrase έσβησε το χαμόγελο to say a smile 'was extinguished' when someone suddenly becomes sad.
- In some Greek contexts, a χαμόγελο can be described as 'bitter' πικρό, used specifically to describe a smile of resignation or irony.
Examples in context
- Ο Τομ είχε ωραίο χαμόγελο.Tom had a nice smile.This sentence is useful for describing someone's smile using χαμόγελο.Tatoeba #5418514 by Zeus, translation #5416414 by CK
- Ένα χαμόγελο διέτρεξε το πρόσωπο του.A smile spread across his face.This sentence is useful for describing a smile spreading across a face using χαμόγελο.Tatoeba #2778895 by glavkos, translation #9698566 by Nylez
- Η ζωή είναι μικρή, αν και το χαμόγελο διαρκεί μόνο ένα δευτερόλεπτο.Life is short, though a smile only lasts a second.This sentence is useful for describing the duration of a smile using χαμόγελο.Tatoeba #2176889 by glavkos, translation #2199390 by ellasevia
- Ο Πέτρος έχει πάντα ένα όμορφο χαμόγελο στο πρόσωπό του.Peter always has a beautiful smile on his face.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends meet in the street.
- Κώστας KostasΤι είναι αυτό το χαμόγελο;Ti einai afto to chamogelo?What is this smile?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΈχω ένα μυστικό, Κώστα!Echo ena mystiko, Kosta!I have a secret, Kostas!
- Κώστας KostasΠες το μου τώρα!Pes to mou tora!Tell it to me now!
- Κυριακή KyriakiΘα σου πω αργότερα.Tha sou po argotera.I will tell you later.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry χαμόγελο, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
