δόντια
dontia
The English word "teeth" is δόντια (dontia) in Greek.
δόντια refers to the hard white structures in the mouth used for biting and chewing food.
Which one should you use?
The formal word for "teeth" in Greek is οδόντια.
How does it change in a sentence?
δόντια is a plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
dontia
Did you know?
- The root of the Greek word δόντια is found in English medical terms like 'orthodontics' or 'periodontics'. The prefix 'ortho' means 'straight' and 'dont' refers to 'teeth'.
- A Greek person might describe a very sharp or jagged mountain ridge as having δόντια, mirroring how ancient Greek described the teeth of a saw.
- In ancient Greek, the word for 'tooth' was used to describe the jagged edges of a saw or the points of a gear, a linguistic link that persists in some technical Greek terminology today.
Examples in context
- Βουρτσίζω τα δόντια μου.I brush my teeth.This sentence is useful for describing the action of brushing your δόντια.Tatoeba #3695678 by ggia, translation #526275 by mutskt
- Το δόντια του ήταν λευκά.His teeth were white.This sentence is useful for describing the color of someone's δόντια.Tatoeba #5438292 by Zeus, translation #2030148 by Spamster
- Έχεις κάτι στα δόντια σου.You've got something in your teeth.This sentence is useful for pointing out that something is stuck in someone's δόντια.Tatoeba #5523399 by Zeus, translation #5482200 by CK
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kyriaki and Nikos are talking about a visit to the dentist.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠότε πήγες για τα δόντια σου;Póte píges gia ta dóntia sou?When did you go for your teeth?
- Νίκος NikosΠήγα χθες το πρωί, Κυριάκη.Píga chthes to proí, Kyriáki.I went yesterday morning, Kyriaki.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕίναι όλα τα δόντια σου υγιή;Eínai óla ta dóntia sou ygiá?Are all your teeth healthy?
- Νίκος NikosΝαι, ο γιατρός είπε ότι είναι τέλεια.Nai, o giatrós eípe óti eínai téleia.Yes, the doctor said they are perfect.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
