ηλιοβασίλεμα
iliovasílema/i.ʎo.vaˈsi.le.ma/neuter
The English word sunset is translated into Greek as ηλιοβασίλεμα (iliovasílema). Wiktionary also lists δύση (dýsi).
Meaning: time of day (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ηλιοβασίλεμα | iliovasílema | /i.ʎo.vaˈsi.le.ma/ | neuter |
| δύση | dýsi | /ˈði.si/ | feminine |
Which one should you use?
ηλιοβασίλεμα is the most common way to refer to the beautiful, colorful event of the sun setting. In contrast, δύση refers more technically to the astronomical event of the sun setting or to the direction of the west.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because ηλιοβασίλεμα is a neuter noun, it takes the neuter article το.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of ηλιοβασίλεμα is /i.ʎo.vaˈsi.le.ma/. It has 6 syllables, and the stress is on the 4th syllable.
Did you know?
- The word ηλιοβασίλεμα contains the root βασιλεύς, meaning 'king'. This gives the sunset a royal connotation, imagining the sun as a monarch descending from a throne.
- Ancient Greek speakers used the term δύσις to describe any celestial body dipping below the horizon, not just the sun.
- If you want to describe a 'sunset' as a 'setting of the sun' in Greek, you are actually performing a tautology by using the word ηλιοβασίλεμα.
Examples in context
- Ο ουρανός περιμένει το ηλιοβασίλεμα.The sky is waiting for sunset.Tatoeba #3115217 by Zeus, translation #2946568 by al_ex_an_der
- Μπορούσαμε να δούμε το ηλιοβασίλεμα από το παράθυρο.We could see the sunset from the window.Tatoeba #4404803 by Tensai, translation #2045 by Swift
- Κάθισα δίπλα στη θάλασσα και κοίταξα το ηλιοβασίλεμα πάνω από τα βουνά.I sat by the sea, and looked at the sunset over the mountains.Tatoeba #14020492 by carlosalberto, translation #14020473 by zogwarg
- Η θέα του ηλιοβασιλέματος από το βουνό ήταν εντυπωσιακή.The view of the sunset from the mountain was impressive.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Eleni and Giorgos are planning a walk on the beach.
- Ελένη EleniΠότε είναι το ηλιοβασίλεμα σήμερα;Póte einai to iliovasílema símera?When is the sunset today?
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίναι περίπου στις οκτώ το βράδυ.Einai perípou stis októ to vrády.It is around eight in the evening.
- Ελένη EleniΘέλω να φτάσουμε εκεί πριν το ηλιοβασίλεμα.Thélo na ftásoume eke prin to iliovasílema.I want us to get there before the sunset.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΈχεις δίκιο, πρέπει να φύγουμε τώρα.Écheis díkio, prépei na fýgoume tóra.You are right, we should leave now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunset” translations and entries ηλιοβασίλεμα, δύση, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
