άσχημος
áschimos/ˈa.sçi.mos/
The English word 'ugly' is translated into Greek as άσχημος (áschimos).
άσχημος is an adjective used to describe something or someone that is displeasing to the eye or not aesthetically pleasing. In certain contexts, the related form άσχημα functions as an adverb meaning 'badly' or 'poorly', such as when describing how a task was performed.
Meaning: displeasing to the eye, not aesthetically pleasing (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective άσχημος changes its ending to match the gender and number of the noun it describes. The feminine singular is άσχημη, the neuter singular is άσχημο and the masculine plural is άσχημοι. For plural nouns, use the feminine plural άσχημες or the neuter plural άσχημα.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈa.sçi.mos/. The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The root σχήμα in άσχημος is the same root used in the English word 'scheme'. Both words originally referred to the outward form or plan of something.
- While άσχημος describes physical appearance, Greeks often use the adverb άσχημα to describe a social situation that has turned awkward or hostile, such as 'ending a relationship badly'.
- If a Greek speaker says άσχημο είπες, they are not saying you said something 'ugly', but rather that you 'said something harsh' or 'rude'.
Examples in context
- Ο Τομ είναι άσχημος.Tom is ugly.This sentence uses άσχημος to describe a person.Tatoeba #4653492 by pinkmpnster, translation #4638297 by CK
- Πως βρήκε δουλεία σαν μοντέλο κάποιος τόσο άσχημος;How did someone so ugly get a job as a model?Tatoeba #10679149 by amoeba, translation #10676117 by CK
- Αυτός ο άντρας που κάθεται εκεί πέρα είναι πολύ άσχημος.That man sitting over there is really ugly.This sentence uses άσχημος to describe a man.Tatoeba #10679152 by amoeba, translation #10676116 by CK
- Η φωτογραφία είναι άσχημη.The photograph is ugly.
- Το ρούχο είναι άσχημο.The clothing is ugly.
- Αυτή η τούρτα είναι άσχημη.This cake is ugly.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nikos and Anastasia are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- Νίκος NikosΚοίτα αυτόν τον πίνακα, είναι πολύ άσχημος.Koíta aftón ton pínaka, eínai polý áschimos.Look at this painting, it is very ugly.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΈχεις δίκιο, δεν μου αρέσει καθόλου.Écheis díkio, den mou arései kathólou.You are right, I don't like it at all.
- Νίκος NikosΓιατί κάποιος θα το αγόραζε;Giatí kápios tha to agóraze?Why would someone buy it?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΊσως κάποιος θεωρεί ότι είναι ιδιαίτερος.Ísōs kápios theoreí óti eínai idiaíteros.Maybe someone thinks it is unique.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ugly” translations and entries άσχημος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
