νερό
neró/neˈɾo/neuter
The Greek word for water is νερό (neró). Wiktionary also lists ύδωρ (ýdor).
Meaning: inorganic compound H₂O (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| νερό | neró | /neˈɾo/ | neuter |
| ύδωρ | ýdor | neuter |
The word refers to the inorganic compound H₂O.
Which one should you use?
νερό is the standard, everyday word for water used in conversation and daily life. In contrast, ύδωρ is a formal, archaic or scientific term for water, often used in technical contexts or literature.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
νερό is a neuter noun. Its genitive singular form is νερού (of water), and its plural form is νερά (waters).
How do you pronounce it?
neró (/neˈɾo/)
Did you know?
- The modern word νερό actually comes from an ancient adjective meaning 'young' or 'fresh'. It originally referred specifically to 'fresh water' before replacing the general word for water.
- English words like 'hydrate' and 'hydraulic' are derived from the formal Greek word ύδωρ, even though Greeks rarely use that word in daily conversation.
- In Greek, the plural form νερά is often used to refer to various types of water or different bodies of water, rather than just a quantity of liquid.
Examples in context
- Δεν ήπια το νερό.I didn't drink the water.This sentence shows how to use νερό in a negative statement about drinking.Tatoeba #2653854 by Zeus, translation #2652819 by CK
- Η Μίλι πίνει νερό.Millie is drinking water.This sentence shows how to use νερό to describe an ongoing action.Tatoeba #3743221 by Zeus, translation #3172758 by ddnktr
- Το νερό ήταν κρύο.The water was cold.This sentence shows how to use νερό to describe a property of the liquid.Tatoeba #5438422 by Zeus, translation #1984002 by Spamster
- 115 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kyriaki and Giorgos are at a restaurant.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΘέλω ένα ποτήρι νερό, παρακαλώ.Thélo éna potíri neró, parakaló.I want a glass of water, please.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΘέλεις κρύο ή σε θερμοκρασία δωματίου;Théleis krýo í se thermokrasía domatíou?Do you want cold or room temperature?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΘέλω το νερό πολύ κρύο.Thélo to neró polý krýo.I want the water very cold.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕντάξει, θα το φέρω τώρα.Entáxei, tha to féro tóra.Okay, I will bring it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “water” translations and entries νερό, ύδωρ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries νερό, ύδωρ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
