τρώω
tróo/ˈtɾo.o/
To eat in Greek is τρώω (tróo).
The phrase refers to the act of putting food into the mouth, chewing and swallowing it.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form τρώω is the first-person singular present indicative, which translates to "I eat" or "I am eating". Other present indicative forms include τρώμε for "we eat" and τρώει for "he/she/it eats".
How do you pronounce it?
tróo. The stress is on the first of two syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
In many spoken dialects, the third-person singular form τρώει is often pronounced or written as τρώνε.
Did you know?
- The verb τρώω is a cognate with the English word 'gnaw', as both descend from an ancient root describing a chewing motion.
- In Greek culture, it is common to use the phrase καλή όρεξη before eating, which translates to 'good appetite' and functions like the French 'bon appétit'.
- In Greek, the word for 'food' φαγητό comes from a different root than the common verb τρώω, meaning the language uses two distinct stems to describe the act and the object of eating.
Examples in context
- Συνήθιζα να τρώω πίτσα.I used to eat pizza.This sentence is useful for expressing a past habit with τρώω.Tatoeba #2700007 by Zeus, translation #2684405 by CK
- Μου αρέσει να τρώω καρπούζι.I like to eat watermelon.This sentence shows how to use τρώω to express liking an activity.Tatoeba #2844547 by glavkos, translation #402802 by Hector005
- Ο γιατρός μου είπε να μην τρώω πάρα πολύ.The doctor told me not to eat too much.This sentence demonstrates a medical instruction using τρώω.Tatoeba #4653489 by pinkmpnster, translation #4638862 by CK
- Πρόκειται να φάω το γεύμα μου.I am going to eat my meal.
- Φάγαμε μαζί στο εστιατόριο.We ate together at the restaurant.
- Η διατροφή μου περιλαμβάνει υγιεινά φαγητά.My diet includes healthy food.
- Έτσι, απλά τσίμπα κάτι για να μην πεινάσεις.Just have a bite so you won't get hungry.
Example conversation
Nikos and Kyriaki are deciding what to do for lunch.
- Νίκος NikosΠεινάω πολύ, θέλω να τρώω τώρα.Peináo polý, thélo na tróo tóra.I am very hungry, I want to eat now.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠερίμενε λίγο, Νίκο, δεν είναι έτοιμο το φαγητό.Perímene lígo, Níko, den eínai étoimo to fagitó.Wait a bit, Nikos, the food is not ready.
- Νίκος NikosΤι θα τρώω μέχρι να γίνει;Ti tha tróo méchri na gínei?What will I eat until it's done?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΜπορείς να φας ένα μήλο, Κυριακή λέει.Boreís na fas éna mílo, Kyriáki léi.You can eat an apple, Kyriaki says.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry τρώω, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries τρώω, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
