ζεστός
zestós[ze̞ˈsto̞s]
The Greek word for warm is ζεστός (zestós).
This adjective is used to describe something having a temperature slightly higher than usual.
Meaning: having a temperature slightly higher than usual (adj)
Which one should you use?
The masculine form is ζεστός, the feminine form is ζεστή and the neuter form is ζεστό. When using the plural, ζεστοί is used for masculine or mixed-gender nouns, while ζεστά is used for neuter nouns. Additionally, the informal diminutive Ζεστάκι is used to express a sense of small, comforting warmth, often translated as toasty.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word must agree with the gender and number of the noun it describes: use ζεστή for feminine nouns, ζεστό for neuter nouns, ζεστοί for masculine or mixed-gender plural nouns and ζεστά for neuter plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
zestós
Did you know?
- The Ancient Greek verb ζέω, which is the ancestor of ζεστός, originally meant 'to boil' or 'to be in a state of fermenting'.
- When describing the weather, Greeks might use ζεστός for a warm day, but they use a different word for a warm climate or a warm wind.
- In Greece, the word ζεστός can describe a 'warm' person, but it is also common to describe a welcoming home or atmosphere using the same adjective.
Examples in context
- Προσπάθησε να διατηρείσαι ζεστός.Try to keep yourself warm.This sentence shows how to use ζεστός when advising someone to maintain their body temperature.Tatoeba #7768039 by eypros, translation #7767980 by CK
- Ζεστό και φιλόξενοWarm and welcoming
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giorgos and Anastasia are sitting in a living room.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίναι ζεστός ο καφές σου;Eínai zestós o kafés sou?Is your coffee warm?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝαι, είναι τέλειος.Nai, eínai téleios.Yes, it is perfect.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΘέλεις ένα ζεστό κουβερτούλι;Thélis éna zestó kouvertoúli?Do you want a warm blanket?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝαι, παρακαλώ, Γιώργο.Nai, parakaló, Giórgo.Yes, please, Giorgos.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “warm” translations and entries ζεστός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ζεστός, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
