ήλιος
ílios/ˈi.ʎos/masculine
The Greek word for sun is ήλιος (ílios).
ήλιος refers to the star around which the Earth revolves. It can also be used to describe a star at the centre of any solar system, or to refer to the light and warmth received from the sun.
Meaning: the star around which the Earth revolves (name)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
ήλιος is a masculine noun. Its genitive singular form, meaning 'of the sun', is του ήλιου. Its accusative singular form, meaning 'the sun', is τον ήλιο. The related adjective meaning 'solar' is ηλιακός.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈi.ʎos/ (ílios). It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word ήλιος is the direct ancestor of the English word 'helium'. When the element was first detected in the sun's spectrum, scientists named it after the Greek word for the sun.
- A person who loves the sun or enjoys sunny weather is called a ηλιολάτρης, which literally translates to a 'sun-worshiper'.
- In Greek mythology, the sun was often personified as the god Ἥλιος, who drove a golden chariot across the sky each day.
Examples in context
- Ο ήλιος λάμπει τη μέρα.The sun shines during the day.This sentence is useful for describing the sun shining during the day using ήλιος.Tatoeba #2365850 by mululatv, translation #275154 by CM
- Ο ήλιος δεν ανέτειλε ακόμα.The sun hasn't risen yet.This sentence is useful for describing the sun not having risen yet using ήλιος.Tatoeba #2257901 by glavkos, translation #7817799 by CK
- Αν έσβηνε ο ήλιος, όλα τα ζωντάνα πλάσματα θα πέθαιναν.If the sun were to go out, all living things would die.This sentence is useful for a hypothetical situation about the sun going out using ήλιος.Tatoeba #7810833 by eypros, translation #30729 by CC
- ο μεγαλοπρεπής ήλιοςThe majestic sun
- ήλιος του καλοκαιριούSummer sun
- Σήμερα ο ήλιος είναι ιδιαίτερα ζεστός.Today the sun is particularly hot.
- Ο φωτεινός ήλιος ανεβαίνει σιγά-σιγά πάνω από το βουνό.The bright sun rises slowly above the mountain.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
George and Kyriaki are talking about the weather during a walk.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΚοιτάξτε, ο ήλιος βγήκε końcu!Koitáxte, o ílios vgíke énkoutsu!Look, the sun finally came out!
- Κυριακή KyriakiΝαι, ο ήλιος μας ζέσταίνει τώρα.Ne, o ílios mas zéstaine tóra.Yes, the sun is warming us now.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΠρέπει να βάλουμε αντηλιακό.Prépei na válvoume antitiliakó.We should put on sunscreen.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΈχεις δίκιο, ο ήλιος είναι δυνατός.Écheis díkio, o ílios eínai dynatós.You are right, the sun is strong.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sun” translations and entries ήλιος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
