ο
o/o̞/
The Greek word for "the" is ο.
Meaning: article (article)
Which one should you use?
While ο is the masculine singular form, you must use different articles depending on the gender and number of the noun: η is used for feminine singular nouns, το for neuter singular nouns, οι for both feminine and masculine plural nouns and τα for neuter plural nouns.
How does it change in a sentence?
The article must agree with the noun it precedes. Beyond gender and number, the form changes in the accusative case when the noun is the direct object of a sentence: the masculine ο becomes τον, the feminine η becomes τη and the neuter το remains το.
How do you pronounce it?
ο is pronounced as /o̞/.
Did you know?
- Greek can use the definite article to turn an entire phrase or sentence into a noun. This allows speakers to refer to 'the [thing that happened]' by simply placing το at the beginning of a clause.
- Greek uses the definite article to express general concepts, such as saying ο θάνατος to mean 'death' in general. In English, 'the' would imply a specific instance of death.
- The article ο can be used as a pronoun to mean 'the one'. In this way, a speaker can avoid repeating a noun entirely by just using the article.
Examples in context
- Πού 'ν' ο γάτος;Where's the cat?This shows how to use ο when asking about the location of a masculine noun.Tatoeba #5585836 by Zeus, translation #1664246 by Spamster
- Τι εννοεί ο Τομ;What in the world does Tom mean?This demonstrates the use of ο before a proper masculine name.Tatoeba #7785030 by eypros, translation #7784936 by CK
- Πού είν' ο τοίχος;Where is the wall?This illustrates the use of ο with a masculine noun.Tatoeba #5541082 by Zeus, translation #5242703 by CarpeLanam
- Ο πατέραςThe father
- Η μητέραThe mother
- Το παιδίThe child
- Ο φίλος/Η φίληThe friend (masculine/feminine)
- Το αυτοκίνητοThe car
- 1422 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Dimitris are looking for a book in a room.
- Μαρία MariaΠού είναι ο βιβλίος;Pou einai o vivlios;Where is the book?
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕίναι πάνω στο τραπέζι.Einai pano sto trapezi.It is on the table.
- Μαρία MariaΔεν τον βλέπω, Δημήτρη.Den ton vlepo, Dimitri.I don't see it, Dimitris.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΟ βιβλίος είναι πίσω από το λάμπας.O vivlios einai piso apo to lampas.The book is behind the lamp.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “the” translations and entries ο, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
