είσαι κακός
eísai kakós
In Greek, "you're mean" is said as είσαι κακός (eísai kakós).
This phrase is used to tell someone that they are unkind or cruel. While είσαι κακός can mean 'you are a mean person' (character), it is also used to mean 'you are being mean' (temporary behavior) in common usage.
What does it mean word for word?
The word κακός literally means "bad" or "evil", which is the standard way to express that someone is being "mean" in Greek.
How do you pronounce it?
eísai kakós
Did you know?
- The adjective κακός can be used to describe 'bad luck' or 'unfortunate events', meaning the same root for 'mean' also describes the concept of a 'bad omen'.
- If you are speaking to a woman, you must change the ending to είσαι κακιά, otherwise the grammar will be incorrect.
- The root of κακός is an ancient one that has remained virtually unchanged for thousands of years, linking modern Greek speakers to the ancient concept of 'badness'.
Examples in context
- Είσαι κακός μαζί μου.Eisai kakos mazi mou.You're mean to me.
- Μην είσαι κακός και με κοροϊδεύεις.Min eisai kakos kai me koroideueis.Don't be mean and mock me.
Example conversation
Dimitris makes a joke about Eleni's drawing.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΚοίτα τι σχεδίασε η Ελένη!Koíta ti schedíase i Eléni!Look what Eleni drew!
- Ελένη EleniΔημήτρη, είσαι κακός!Dimítri, eísai kakós!Dimitris, you're mean!
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΉταν απλώς ένα αστείο.Ítan aplós éna asteío.It was just a joke.
- Ελένη EleniΔεν ήταν καθόλου αστείο.Den ítan kathólou asteío.It wasn't funny at all.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries κακός, CC BY-SA 4.0.
