ζέβρα
zévra/ˈze.vɾa/feminine
The English word 'zebra' is translated into Greek as ζέβρα (zévra). Wiktionary also lists ζέβρος (zévros) and όναγρος (ónagros).
Meaning: African animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ζέβρα | zévra | /ˈze.vɾa/ | feminine |
| ζέβρος | zévros | masculine | |
| όναγρος | ónagros | masculine |
This term refers to the African striped animal.
Which one should you use?
While ζέβρα refers specifically to the African striped zebra, όναγρος refers to the onager, which is a wild ass from Asia.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine noun ζέβρα becomes ζέβρας in the genitive singular and ζέβρες in the plural. For the masculine noun ζέβρος, the genitive plural is ζέβρων.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. It is romanized as zévra.
Did you know?
- In Greek, the word ζέβρα is also used to describe the white stripes of a pedestrian crosswalk.
- The word ζέβρα is not originally Greek, but a borrowed term from French.
- In Greek, the masculine form ζέβρος is an archaic or rare variant that refers to the same animal as the more common ζέβρα.
Examples in context
- Είδαμε μια ζέβρα στο ζωολογικό κήπο.Eídame mia zévra sto zoologikó kípo.We saw a zebra at the zoo.
- Αυτή η ζέβρα τρέχει πολύ γρήγορα.Aftí i zévra tréchi polí grígora.This zebra runs very fast.
Example conversation
George and Anastasia are looking at a picture book in a park.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΔες αυτή τη ζέβρα, Αναστασία.Des aftí ti zévra, Anastasía.Look at this zebra, Anastasia.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕίναι πολύ όμορφη η ζέβρα.Íne polí ómorfi i zévra.The zebra is very beautiful.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΈχει πολύ ενδιαφέροντα μοτίβα.Échi polí endiaféronta motíva.It has very interesting patterns.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝαι, ο Γιώργος έχει δίκιο.Ne, o Giórgos échi díkio.Yes, George is right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zebra” translations and entries ζέβρα, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ζέβρα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
