τίγρης
tígrismasculine
The English word tiger is τίγρης (tígris) in Greek. Wiktionary also lists τίγρη (tígri).
Meaning: The mammal Panthera tigris (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| τίγρης | tígris | masculine |
| τίγρη | tígri | feminine, masculine |
The word refers to the mammal Panthera tigris.
Which one should you use?
The masculine form τίγρης is used for a male tiger or when the noun is in the nominative case. The feminine form τίγρη is used when referring to a female tiger or when the noun is used in the accusative case as a direct object.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form τίγρης is used for the nominative case. The feminine form τίγρη is used for the accusative case.
How do you pronounce it?
tígris
Did you know?
- Ancient Greek writers occasionally used τίγρις as a metaphor for a fierce or ferocious warrior, rather than just the animal.
- The word τίγρη is a direct descendant of the Ancient Greek word τίγρις, which was originally borrowed from an even older, non-Greek language.
- In Greek folklore, the tiger is not native to the land, so the word τίγρη is often associated with exoticism and the distant East in classical poetry.
Examples in context
- Τα δώδεκα κινέζικα ζώδια ζώα είναι ο αρουραίος, το βόδι, η τίγρη, το κουνέλι, ο δράκος, το φίδι, το άλογο, το πρόβατο, ο πίθηκος, ο κόκορας, ο σκύλος και ο χοίρος.The twelve Chinese zodiac signs are the rat, the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the rooster, the dog, and the pig.This sentence is useful for learning the names of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs, using the form τίγρη.Tatoeba #1341066 by enteka, translation #9193332 by Nylez
Example conversation
Kyriaki and Nikos are looking at a picture book of animals.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΤι είναι αυτό το ζώο, Νίκο;Ti einai auto to zoo, Niko?What is this animal, Nikos?
- Νίκος NikosΑυτός είναι ένας τίγρης.Autos einai enas tigris.This is a tiger.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕίναι πολύ όμορφος ο τίγρης.Einai poly omorfos o tigris.The tiger is very beautiful.
- Νίκος NikosΝαι, έχει υπέροχες ρίγες.Nai, ekhei yperoches riges.Yes, he has wonderful stripes.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tiger” translations and entries τίγρης, τίγρη, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries τίγρη, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
