Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| φέρομαι | féromai | /ˈfe.ɾo.me/ |
| συμπεριφέρομαι | symperiféromai | /sim.be.ɾiˈfe.ɾo.me/ |
| μεταχειρίζομαι | metacheirízomai | |
| χειρίζομαι | cheirízomai | /çiˈɾi.zo.me/ |
As a verb, 'treat' means to handle, deal with or behave towards in a specific way. If you are referring to a sweet treat or dessert, you can use the informal term γλυκάκια. When 'treat' refers to the act of paying for someone else's meal or drink, the noun κέρασμα is used. For an unexpected gift, event etc., which provides great pleasure, the words χαρά or δώρο are used.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the specific sense of 'treat' you intend to convey: * Use συμπεριφέρομαι when referring to how one behaves or conducts oneself toward others (e.g., 'he treats me well'). * Use μεταχειρίζομαι when the sense of 'treat' refers to the physical handling of an object or the management of a specific situation/topic.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
φέρομαι is pronounced /ˈfe.ɾo.me/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 1 of 3.
Did you know?
- While κέρασμα refers to the act of treating someone to a meal, the root of the word is the same as that used for 'horn'. Historically, drinks were served from animal horns before glasses existed.
- The verb φέρομαι is actually a reflexive form that literally translates to 'I carry myself'.
- In Greece, the custom of κέρασμα is often a social obligation where the person who has just received a promotion or a gift is expected to treat others to celebrate.
Examples in context
- Μπορώ να έχω μερικά γλυκάκια, παρακαλώ;Can I have some treats, please?
- Θέλεις μια λιχουδιά;Would you like a sweet treat?
- Πώς φέρομαι στο σχολείο;Pos feromai sto scholeio;How do I behave at school?
- Δεν ξέρω πώς να φέρομαι μαζί του.Den xero pos na feromai mazi tou.I don't know how to act with him.
Example conversation
Kostas and Maria are discussing their relationship dynamics.
- Κώστας KostasΠώς φέρομαι μαζί σου, Μαρία;Pos feromai mazi sou, Maria?How do I treat you, Maria?
- Μαρία MariaΦέρομαι καλά, αλλά μερικές φορές είσαι αυστηρός.Feromai kala, alla merikes fores eisai avstiros.You treat me well, but sometimes you are strict.
- Κώστας KostasΛυπάμαι, θα προσέξω πώς φέρομαι.Lypamai, tha prosexo pos feromai.I'm sorry, I will watch how I behave.
- Μαρία MariaΣε ευχαριστώ, Κώστα.Se efcharisto, Kosta.Thank you, Kostas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “treat” translations and entries φέρομαι, συμπεριφέρομαι, χειρίζομαι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
