χιόνι
chióni/ˈço.ni/neuter
The English word "snow" is translated into Greek as χιόνι (chióni).
The word refers to the crystalline state of water that falls from the atmosphere as flakes, the act of these flakes falling or the white accumulation of them on the ground.
Meaning: partly frozen, crystalline state of water that falls from the atmosphere as precipitation in flakes, falling of such flakes, accumulation of them as a white layer (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
χιόνι is a neuter noun. To indicate possession or to say "of snow", use the genitive singular form χιονιού. While χιόνι is the singular form, you can use the plural form χιόνια to refer to snows or flakes of snow. If you want to express the action of weather, the verb χιονίζω means to have snow fall from the atmosphere. To say "it is snowing", use the third-person singular impersonal form χιονίζει.
How do you pronounce it?
chióni (ˈço.ni). The stress is on the first of the two syllables.
Did you know?
- The modern Greek word χιόνι is actually a diminutive form of the Ancient Greek word χιών, meaning it literally translates to something like 'little snow'.
- The word χιόνι is used in the Greek term χιονισμένος, which can describe both a mountain covered in snow and a person who is pale or ghostly.
- While χιόνι is the general word for snow, Greeks often use the word νιφάδα to specifically describe a single, delicate snowflake.
Examples in context
- Μ' αρέσει το χιόνι.I like snow.This sentence shows how to express a personal preference for χιόνι.Tatoeba #5488516 by Zeus, translation #1642586 by CK
- Σ' αρέσει το χιόνι;Do you like snow?This sentence is a way to ask if someone else likes χιόνι.Tatoeba #5488528 by Zeus, translation #434606 by lukaszpp
- Δε μ' αρέσει το χιόνι.I don't like snow.This sentence shows how to express a dislike for χιόνι.Tatoeba #5410017 by Zeus, translation #2931784 by astyng
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dimitris and Anastasia are looking out the window during winter.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΚοιτάξτε, πέφτει χιόνι!Koitákste, péftei chióni!Look, it's snowing!
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕίναι τόσο όμορφο το χιόνι.Eínai tóso ómorfo to chióni.The snow is so beautiful.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΘέλεις να παίξουμε στο χιόνι;Théleis na paíxoume sto chióni?Do you want to play in the snow?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝαι, ας πάμε έξω τώρα!Nai, as páme éxo tóra!Yes, let's go outside now!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snow” translations and entries χιόνι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries χιόνι, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
