επιζών
epizónmasculine
The English word 'survivor' is translated into Greek as επιζών (epizón). If unsure, use επιζών. Wiktionary also lists επιβιωθητής (epiviothitís).
Meaning: one who survives (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| επιζών | epizón | masculine |
| επιβιωθητής | epiviothitís | masculine |
The term refers to one who survives.
Which one should you use?
επιζών is typically used in more formal, literary or legal contexts to describe someone who has survived a specific event. επιβιωθητής is another masculine term for survivor.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the masculine term επιβιωθητής is οι επιβιωθητές.
How do you pronounce it?
epizón
Did you know?
- The Greek word ζών inside επιζών comes from the same root as 'zoo', which refers to living beings.
- Greek has a distinct way of talking about survival in a spiritual sense. The word επιζώ describes physical survival, but the idea of 'surviving' a hardship emotionally often uses the phrase αντέχω, which means 'to hold out' or 'to endure'.
- The prefix επι- in επιζών often denotes 'upon' or 'after'. In this context, it implies living 'beyond' a point where death was expected, mirroring the Latin prefix 'sur-' in 'survive'.
Examples in context
- Ο μοναδικός επιζών μιλάει για την εμπειρία του.O monadikós epizón miláei gia tin empíria tou.The sole survivor speaks about his experience.
- Είναι ένας επιζών από το ατύχημα.Eínai enas epizón apó to atýkhima.He is a survivor of the accident.
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a news report about a shipwreck.
- Ελένη EleniΔιάβασες τα νέα για το πλοίο, Δημήτρη;Diavases ta nea gia to ploio, Dimitri?Did you read the news about the ship, Dimitris?
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΝαι, είπαν ότι υπάρχει ένας επιζών.Nai, eipan oti yparcheienas epizōn.Yes, they said there is one survivor.
- Ελένη EleniΕίναι πραγματικό θαύμα!Einai pragmatiko thavma!It is a real miracle!
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΣυμφωνώ, είναι τυχερός ο άνθρωπος.Symphono, einai tycheros o anthropos.I agree, the man is lucky.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “survivor” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
