γυναίκα
gynaíka/ʝiˈne.ka/feminine
The Greek word for woman is γυναίκα (gynaíka).
γυναίκα refers to an adult female person. In many contexts, it is also used to mean 'wife'.
Meaning: adult female person (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular noun γυναίκα has the plural form γυναίκες. To say 'of the woman', use the genitive singular form της γυναίκας.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ʝiˈne.ka/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The root of γυναίκα is linked to the ancient concept of 'birth' or 'generation', reflecting the word's early focus on maternity.
- In some historical forms of Cappadocian Greek, the word for woman was shortened further to ναίκα.
- While γυναίκα is the standard term, using the word κυρία as a title provides a level of social deference that the noun γυναίκα lacks on its own.
Examples in context
- Η γυναίκα τρώει ψωμί.The woman is eating bread.This sentence shows the subject γυναίκα in a simple sentence.Tatoeba #2670471 by Zeus, translation #2612719 by sundown
- Η μητέρα είναι γυναίκα.My mother is a woman.This sentence uses γυναίκα to describe a person's identity.Tatoeba #3778208 by glavkos, translation #4824045 by whitefishglobal
- Αυτή η γυναίκα είναι Ινδή.This woman is Indian.This sentence demonstrates using γυναίκα to identify a specific person.Tatoeba #3175263 by glavkos, translation #8165835 by lucasmg123
- Η κοπέλα μου είναι πολύ όμορφηMy girlfriend is very beautiful.
- 60 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Eleni and Giorgos are looking for someone in a crowd.
- Ελένη EleniΒλέπεις τη γυναίκα με το κόκκινο φόρεμα;Vlepis ti gynaika me to kokkino forema?Do you see the woman in the red dress?
- Γιώργος GiorgosΌχι, ποια γυναίκα εννοείς;Ochi, pia gynaika ennoeis?No, which woman do you mean?
- Ελένη EleniΕκείνη η γυναίκα δίπλα στο δέντρο.Ekeini i gynaika dipla sto dentro.That woman next to the tree.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΝαι, τη βρήκα τώρα!Nai, ti vrika tora!Yes, I found her now!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “woman” translations and entries γυναίκα, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries γυναίκα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
