φάλαινα
fálaina/ˈfa.le.na/feminine
The Greek word for whale is φάλαινα (fálaina).
φάλαινα is a feminine noun used to refer to a whale, the large sea mammal.
Meaning: large sea mammal (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural genitive form, used to say 'of the whales', is των φαλαινών.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈfa.le.na/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The Greek word φάλαινα is a distant relative of the Sanskrit word फुलम् for 'flower'.
- In Greek mythology, the 'Ketus' was a sea monster often depicted as a whale, though the modern word φάλαινα is used for the animal.
- While φάλαινα refers to the whale, Greek has specific distinct terms for dolphins, which are not grouped under the same word.
Examples in context
- Η φάλαινα είναι ένα πολύ μεγάλο θηλαστικό, που ζει στη θάλασσα.The whale is a very large mammal that lives in the sea.This sentence is useful for describing the whale as a large sea mammal using φάλαινα.Tatoeba #3450792 by Zeus, translation #9768187 by CK
- Η γαλάζια φάλαινα, το μεγαλύτερο θηλαστικό που υπάρχει, έχει μέσο μήκος 30 μέτρα και μπορεί να ζυγίζει έως και 200 τόνους.The blue whale, the largest mammal in existence, averages 30 meters in length and can weigh up to 200 tons.This sentence is useful for providing facts about the blue whale using φάλαινα.Tatoeba #11658242 by carlosalberto, translation #11658231 by carlosalberto
- Είδα μια φάλαινα στη θάλασσα σήμερα!I saw a whale in the sea today!
- Είδαμε μια φάλαινα στον ωκεανό.Eídamé mia fálaína ston okeanó.We saw a whale in the ocean.
Example conversation
Maria and George are talking about a trip to the ocean.
- Μαρία MariaΘέλω να δω μια φάλαινα.Thelo na do mia falaina.I want to see a whale.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίναι πολύ δύσκολο αυτό, Μαρία.Einai poly dyskolo afto, Maria.That is very difficult, Maria.
- Μαρία MariaΜια φάλαινα θα ήταν υπέροχη!Mia falaina tha itan yperochi!A whale would be wonderful!
- Γιώργος GiorgosΈχεις δίκιο, Γιώργος συμφωνεί.Echeis dikio, Giorgos symfonei.You are right, George agrees.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “whale” translations and entries φάλαινα, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries φάλαινα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
