μικροσκοπικός
mikroskopikós/mikɾoskopiˈkos/
The English phrase 'tiny' is translated into Greek as μικροσκοπικός (mikroskopikós).
The term is used to describe something that is extremely small or microscopic, often implying it is barely visible to the naked eye.
Meaning: very small (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word μικροσκοπικός is literally 'microscopic', which is derived from the Greek mikros (small) and skopein (to look at or examine).
Which one should you use?
While μικροσκοπικός implies something extremely small or microscopic, the standard word for 'small' is μικρός.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. Use the feminine form μικροσκοπική for feminine nouns and the neuter form μικροσκοπικό for neuter nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is mikroskopikós and the IPA is /mikɾoskopiˈkos/.
Did you know?
- The word μικροσκοπικός is a learned borrowing that was coined in French and then imported back into Greek.
- While μικροσκοπικός sounds very scientific, using it to describe a person can sound sarcastic, as if you are calling them insignificant or non-existent.
- In Greek, describing someone as μικρός may refer to their age or social rank instead of their physical height.
Examples in context
- Αυτό το έντομο είναι μικροσκοπικό.This insect is tiny.
- Την είδες. Ήταν μια λιλιπούτεια γάτα!Did you see it? It was a tiny cat!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry μικροσκοπικός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries μικροσκοπικός, CC BY-SA 4.0.
