πόλεμος
pólemosmasculine
The Greek word for war is πόλεμος (pólemos).
The noun πόλεμος refers to a conflict involving the organized use of arms. You can use the verb Πολεμώ to mean "to wage war", and the phrase Κηρύσσω πόλεμο to mean "to declare war".
Meaning: conflict involving organized use of arms (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
πόλεμος is a masculine noun. Its genitive singular form, used to say "of war", is πόλεμου. To refer to multiple conflicts, use the plural form πόλεμοι.
How do you pronounce it?
pólemos
Did you know?
- The Greek word πόλεμος is the root of the English word 'polemic', which refers to a strong verbal or written attack rather than a physical battle.
- The word πόλεμος can be found in the names of various celestial-themed or mythological descriptions in classical literature, often personified as a deity.
- Ancient Greek poets often used a technique called 'epithets' to describe πόλεμος, frequently calling it 'the devourer of cities'.
Examples in context
- Σε ποιον αρέσει ο πόλεμος;Who likes war?This sentence uses πόλεμος to ask a question about who likes war.Tatoeba #5444025 by Zeus, translation #4402062 by AlanF_US
- Σε κανέναν δεν αρέσει ο πόλεμος.Nobody likes war.This sentence uses πόλεμος to state that nobody likes war.Tatoeba #7774590 by amoeba, translation #386736 by Mouseneb
- Ο πόλεμος δεν είναι αναπόφευκτος.War is not inevitable.This sentence uses πόλεμος to express that war is not inevitable.Tatoeba #4286314 by glavkos, translation #273316 by CM
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nikos and Maria are discussing a history book.
- Νίκος NikosΑυτό το βιβλίο μιλάει για έναν παλιό πόλεμο.Auto to vivlio milaei gia enan palio polemos.This book talks about an old war.
- Μαρία MariaΠότε τελείωσε αυτός ο πόλεμος;Pote teleiose aftos o polemos?When did this war end?
- Νίκος NikosΤελείωσε πριν από εκατό χρόνια.Teleiose prin apo ekato chronia.It ended a hundred years ago.
- Μαρία MariaΕλπίζω να μην ξανα συμβεί ένας πόλεμος.Elpizo na min xana symvei enas polemos.I hope a war never happens again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “war” translations and entries πόλεμος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
