κόσμος
kósmos/ˈko.zmos/masculine
The English word 'world' is translated into Greek as κόσμος (kósmos).
κόσμος refers to the inhabited planet. In many contexts, it is also used colloquially to mean 'people' or 'the public' (for example, to say 'People are coming').
Meaning: inhabited planet (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word κόσμος derives from the Greek concept of 'order' or 'arrangement', which is why it can mean both the physical world and the concept of an ordered universe, ornament or universe.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈko.zmos/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The English word 'cosmetics' comes from κόσμος. This is because the word originally referred to 'order' and 'arrangement' in the sense of making one's appearance orderly and beautiful.
- Ancient Greeks used κόσμος to describe not just the earth, but also the proper arrangement of a military phalanx or the decoration of a room.
- The conceptual transition from 'order' to 'world' in κόσμος reflects the Pythagorean belief that the universe is governed by mathematical harmony.
Examples in context
- Ο κόσμος είναι μεγάλος.The world is big.This sentence is useful for describing the size of the κόσμος.Tatoeba #4703675 by pinkmpnster, translation #5435664 by Adelpa
- Ένας άλλος κόσμος είναι δυνατός.Another world is possible.This sentence is useful for expressing the possibility of another κόσμος.Tatoeba #2670448 by Zeus, translation #2502918 by irish
- Όλος ο κόσμος είναι πατρίδα μου.The whole world is my fatherland.This sentence is useful for stating that the entire κόσμος is one's fatherland.Tatoeba #7790822 by eypros, translation #7788549 by Adelpa
- Ο κόσμος αλλάζει συνεχώς.The world is constantly changing.
- Ο κόσμος εξερευνάται από τους επιστήμονες.The world is being explored by scientists.
- Η παγκόσμια οικονομία επηρεάζει τις αγορές όλου του κόσμου.The global economy affects markets all over the world.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia and Dimitris are discussing traveling.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΘέλω να ταξιδέψω σε όλο τον κόσμο.Thélo na taxidépso se ólo ton kósmo.I want to travel the whole world.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕίναι ένα πολύ μεγάλος στόχος, Αναστασία.Eínai éna polý megálos stóchos, Anastasía.That is a very big goal, Anastasia.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΟ κόσμος έχει τόσα όμορφα μέρη!O kósmos échei tósa ómora méra!The world has so many beautiful places!
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΈχεις δίκιο, Δημήτρης συμφωνεί μαζί σου.Écheis díkio, Dimítris symfoní mazí sou.You are right, Dimitris agrees with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “world” translations and entries κόσμος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
