φτερό
fteró/fteˈɾo/neuter
The Greek word for "wing" (part of an animal) is φτερό (fteró). Wiktionary also lists φτερούγα (fteroúga) and πτέρυγα (ptéryga).
Meaning: part of an animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| φτερό | fteró | /fteˈɾo/ | neuter |
| φτερούγα | fteroúga | /fteˈɾu.ɣa/ | feminine |
| πτέρυγα | ptéryga | /ˈpte.ɾi.ɣa/ | feminine, literary |
Which one should you use?
φτερό is the standard and most common word used in everyday speech. φτερούγα is a more colloquial and descriptive term, often used when speaking expressively about the wings of birds or insects. πτέρυγα is a literary form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The neuter form φτερό becomes φτερά in the plural. The feminine form φτερούγα becomes φτερούγες in the plural. The literary feminine form πτέρυγα becomes πτέρυγες in the plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is fteró.
Did you know?
- The literary word πτέρυγα is used in Greek to describe the 'wing' of a building or a hospital ward, mirroring the French word 'aile'.
- Greek has a specific word for a 'wing' in a military formation, using the root πτέρυγα to describe the flank of an army.
- In Greek folklore and idioms, the phrase 'to have wings' (έχει φτερά) can describe someone who is incredibly fast or eager to move.
Examples in context
- Το αεροπλάνο έχει δύο πτέρυγες.The airplane has two wings.
- Ο πετεινός ανοίγει τα φτερά του και πετάει στον ουρανό.The bird opens its wings and flies in the sky.
- Το πουλάκι έχει ένα σπασμένο φτερό.To poulaki echei ena spasmeno ftero.The little bird has a broken wing.
- Βλέπω ένα φτερό στο δρόμο.Vlepo ena ftero sto dromo.I see a wing on the road.
Example conversation
Dimitris and Kyriaki are walking in a park.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΚοίτα την πεταλούδα, έχει ένα φτερό κατεστραμμένο.Koita tin petalouda, echei ena ftero katestrammeno.Look at the butterfly, it has a damaged wing.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕίναι πολύ λυπητό, Δημήτρη.Einai poly lipito, Dimitri.It is very sad, Dimitris.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΊσως δεν μπορεί να πετάξει πια.Isos den mporei na petaxy pia.Maybe it cannot fly anymore.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠρέπει να την βοηθήσουμε.Prepei na tin voithisoume.We must help it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wing” translations and entries φτερό, φτερούγα, πτέρυγα, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries πτέρυγα, φτερούγα, φτερό, CC BY-SA 4.0.
