Use it on a stranger and you might still find yourself in trouble, but if you make friends with the locals don’t be surprised if you hear and use it all the time. In addition, Greek root words are part of many English words, and knowing the meanings of these root words can help you expand your English vocabulary. Here are the most popular Greek phrases and their phonetic correspondence. (=My home, my little home, a little house of my own.) It’s your weak spot, we can blame Achilles, hero of the Trojan wars for this. Call a spade a spade, also referred to as; let’s call a spade a spade and not a garden tool, meaning, call something by its name, however impolite, don’t beat about the bush, say it as it is. ‘Η καμήλα δε βλέπει την καμπούρα της.’ ( = the camel doesn’t/can’t see her own hump) Meaning: We easily criticize and point out other people’s faults and weaknesses but we fail to see ours. So, did you know you can already speak Greek? Greek? You would say this greeting up until noon,... Good afternoon/evening: Καλησπέρα (kah-lee-SPER-ah). The ancient Greeks would touch a tree, hoping to invoke good luck or protection from the wood nymphs dwelling within. The Oedipus complex, is a concept, introduced in 1899 by psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud. Cloud Cuckoo Land is accredited to ‘The Birds’, a play, a comedy, by  ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes, performed in ancient Athens in 414 BC. The saying has its roots in ‘Apophthegmata Laconia’, a work by Plutarch, a Greek biographer and essayist (46 AD-120 AD), where he states, ‘call a fig a fig, and a trough a trough’. Goddess Maia and Greek May Day Traditions, Ancient Greek myths surrounding the 12 signs of the zodiac, Pandora, the first mortal woman created by the gods, Patras Carnival – the Largest and Craziest in Greece, Children of Ancient Sparta – Born to be Great Greek Warriors, 25 of the Most Famous Ancient Greek Statues and Sculptures, Taurus – the Ancient Greek Myth Behind the Zodiac Sign. If the jar was knocked over, by accident, or other deceitful means, the secret was revealed, the beans were spilled. 1. In ancient Greece, the voting system was for people to cast secret votes by putting either a white bean (positive vote), or a black bean (negative vote), into a jar. Owing to the near impossible 12 strenuous labours … (=Too many opinions sink the boat.) This curse caused Hercules to murder his wife and children, as a punishment, the King of Greece, Eurystheus, set Hercules twelve, nigh impossible tasks. Pithia must have been good at her job, Polycrates searched again, and reportedly found the treasure! Meaning: Greek equivalent of “Home, sweet home”. What is your Achilles Heel? Hercules, son of Zeus and his girlfriend of the day, Alcemene, had a curse put upon his head, by the jealous wife of Zeus, Hera. ‘Αγάλι-αγάλι γίνεται η αγουρίδα μέλι.’ ( = unripe grape gets sweet as honey, at a slow pace) Meaning: It takes time to grow bigger or better (for people, ideas, projects, etc.) (=The tongue/language has no bones, but bones it crushes.) ‘Αγάλι-αγάλι γίνεται η αγουρίδα μέλι.’ ( = unripe grape gets sweet as honey, at … Learning Greek proverbs can also help you to understand more about the Greek culture or the way people think in Greece! Τα πολλά λόγια είναι φτώχια. The Greek language has contributed to the English vocabulary in five main ways: vernacular borrowings, transmitted orally through Vulgar Latin directly into Old English, e.g., 'butter' (butere, from Latin butyrum < βούτυρον), or through French, e.g., 'ochre'. words with psil-• psilosis, psilanthropism, psilocybin: ψυχή: psukhḗ: ψυχο-, ψυχ-psych-spirit, mind, soul: words with psycho-, psych-• psyche, psychology, psychotic, psychedelic: ψυχρός: psukhrós: ψυχρο-psychro-frozen: words with psychro-• psychroplanet, psychrotherapy Owing to the near impossible 12 strenuous labours  bestowed on Hercules, of Greek mythology fame, any task deemed difficult, needing strength, time, or extra brain power, may be referred to as a Herculean task. Translate from Greek to English. A writer should deploy such words carefully and with moderation, to avoid overwhelming the reader. English. A little ruder and unlikely to be found in your average phrase book, malaka directly translated is an English swear word, but is used among Greeks as a friendly, affectionate term. We hope you enjoy learning these proverbs, but we understand it is not so easy to start using them immediately in a daily conversation If you are interested to start communicating in Greek from day one, then it is a good idea to also check our free eBook with  “Greek Wishes for Social Occasions”, PS. Achilles Heel. When hot food is put in front of him, the traveller blows upon it, to cool it, causing the satyr to exclaim, ‘I will have nothing to do with a man who blows both hot and cold with the same breathe’, and promptly threw the traveller out of his house. In fact, the word idiom itself, meaning a figure of speech, a phrase with figurative meaning, different from the literal meaning, comes from the Greek idiōma, meaning  private property –  peculiar phraseology, which comes from idiousthai, to make one’s own’, which in turn comes from idios, meaning  own –  private. 26 Famous Movies Filmed in Greece and the Greek Islands. Pandora was desperate to open a box, presented to her by Zeus, as a wedding present, but her husband, Epimetheus, having been told by Zeus, what it contained, forbid her to do so. To make matters worse, this stick seemed to be communal, as it was kept in a bowl of salt water, next to the hole in the ground; the lavatories of the day, so, you had to be very careful, when the stick was passed around, as needed, not to get hold of the wrong end! Another source of leave no stone unturned, is from ‘The Heraclidae’, children of Hercules, by ancient Greek playwright, Euripides, where King Eurystheus states, while searching for his enemies, whom also happen to be relatives; ‘Should I, whom am hated by these children, and aware of their inherited hatred for me, have left no stone unturned, in machinations to kill or exile?’. ‘The positive Oedipus complex refers to a child’s unconscious sexual desire for the opposite-sex parent and hatred for the same-sex parent. Adonis the mortal lover of the Goddess Aphrodite. Oι πολλές γνώμες βουλιάζουν το καράβι. It turns into “a whore’s fencepost” ( της πουτἀνας το κἀγκελο ). Did You Know the Red Carpet Originated in Ancient Greece? And while you will find many locals who speak English, Greeks (and anyone for that matter) always appreciate it when you try to speak their native language, even if it is just saying a few words. Ancient Greek is a language that is still alive and well, especially when you consider the many English words derived from Greek. Be it words, phrases, texts or even your website pages - Translate.com will offer the best. All bab.la users can help improving the database thanks to the list below, which displays the most recent suggested entries. Φιλοξενία (filoksenia) The first part of this word comes from the word φιλώ, or love, while the second part comes from ξένος, foreigner. Very well poli kalA 8. The habit of knocking on, or touching wood, to avoid tempting fate, or to bring good luck, goes way back, thousands of years, to ancient Greece, where it was believed dryads, wood nymphs , lived inside trees. Meaning: This proverb is advice against talking too much; You better act than just talk! 9. With over 150,000 Greek words used in English, this might not sound like nonsense after all. The majority of English sayings with Greek origins, have emerged from ancient Greek myths and stories, here are twenty of the most used English sayings and phrases with a decidedly Greek touch. Meaning: It is difficult to take any decisions with too many opinions. This phrase, again, comes from one of Aesop’s fables, ‘The Satyr and the Traveller’; one winter’s day, a traveller happens upon a satyr (a mythical creature, half man, half goat), who invites the man into his house. English. 7. Every culture and language has a collection of wise sayings that gives advice about how to live your life. The phrase, sour grapes, is used by someone who didn’t manage to obtain something which they wanted badly, or who is jealous of something someone else has managed to acquire, or achieve, and there after speaks critically and unfavourably about it. Meaning: The pen is mightier than the sword. As a baby, Achilles’ mother, Thetis, dunked him in the  River Styx, said to have the magical power of making people invulnerable, by holding him upside down by his heel. According to Greek history, a Persian general, Mardonius, during the Persian wars against Greece, when defeated, buried a large amount of treasure. Mar 18, 2020 - Explore Constantine Mitsopoulos's board "Greek sayings" on Pinterest. To spill the beans, means to divulge a secret, either maliciously, or by accident. In Greece, a situation doesn’t just “get out of hand”…. Easier said than done. If you enjoyed this entertaining list of Greekness, I’m sure you will love a few of my other ‘Greeker’ lists, why not take a look and find out? From The Fables of Aesop, ‘The Satyr and the Traveller’, illustration by Joseph Jacobs, 1894. Despite his gift, Cassandra shunned Apollo’s romantic advances, which really got his goat, in retaliation, Apollo placed a curse on his would-be lover, a curse which would ensure, that no one would believe her prophecies, or warnings of doom. Athena was telling them to fall in love. Cloud Cuckoo Land, in Aristophanes play, is ‘Nephelokokkȳgía’, the name of the land which separates humans and gods, a utopian city, an unrealistic, idealist, fantasy world. Authors; The Greeks, who had besieged the city of Troy, pretended to retreat, leaving behind them, outside the gates of the city, a large wooden horse. Many were the men who battled with this elaborate knot, but to no avail, until that is, Alexander the Great, after struggling with the dratted knot, lost patience, thought outside the box, decided it did not matter how the knot was untied, and with one stroke of his sword, sliced through the knot, and, after conquering Asia, became ruler, fulfilling the prophecy. Pandora, the first mortal woman created by the gods  was a woman who would wreak havoc on earth, the catastrophe of mankind, who, up until now had been living the life of gods, as immortals, innocents, knowing not of birth and death, evil and hardships. 20 of the Funniest and Dirtiest Nonsensical Greek Wisecrack Expressions and Phrases, 40 adorable characteristics which make a Greek a Greek, 20 Weird, Crazy and Incredible Facts About Greece and the Greeks. Like. Be it words, phrases, texts or even your website pages - Translate.com will offer the best. sympathy sayings. The Sayings Gospel Q in Greek and English with Parallels from the Gospels of Mark and Thomas (English and Greek Edition) tI kAnis? Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. To call someone a Cassandra, is to infer that they are full of doom and gloom and dwell on only the bad things in life, predicting death and disaster, of which no one takes any notice of. 40 Adorable Characteristics which Make Greeks Special, Greek word Meraki - To Do Something With Love, Passion and a Lot of Soul, 20 Everyday English Phrases, Sayings and Idioms With Greek Origins. When we say someone has ‘The Midas Touch’, we are referring to someone who has great success in financial dealings, someone who succeeds in anything in puts his hand to, whatever he touches, turns to gold. The term ‘someone who cries wolf’, is given to an habitual liar, someone who tells the same lie, over and over again, someone you just can’t believe, a regular ‘Billy Liar’ of the highest degree, and, we all know, nobody believes an artful liar, even when they are telling the truth. Look who is talking! Beginning around late afternoon/dusk and into … When ancient Greeks had a thought, it occurred to them as a god or goddess giving an order. A Greek doesn’t just “make your life hell”…. In ancient Greece, laurel leaves were considered a symbol of victory, a status symbol, associated with the God Apollo. As it often happens in writing, one single carefully placed word can make the entire text fall into place. Midas wished for everything he touched, to turn to gold, if only he had given more thought to his wish, literally, everything he touched, turned to solid gold, food, water, wine, and most sadly of all, his precious daughter Zoe. Then visit the masaresi.com eShop and find out more about the Greek Easy Reader, the Fygame Language Book, Advanced Greek Workbooks, and so much more…, Contact info@omilo.com t: [+30] 210 61 22 896, Greek Speaking Starter Kit : Everyday Greek Language, for Beginners, Click here to download the free eBook + Audio, Click here for more Greek Language Materials, https://omilo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/greek-proverb-blog.png, https://omilo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/omilo-logo-new-300x138.png, Lambros Fisfis: When Everyday Life Turns into Comedy, Practice your Greek with a TV series based on the Greek island of Syros. Herculean Task. Info. To get hold of the wrong end of the stick, is to totally misunderstand or misinterpret something, to get something completely wrong, and trust me, if you were living in ancient Greece, you certainly had to be careful not to get hold of the wrong end of the stick, read on! Patience! 4. In ancient Greece, as you can imagine, the luxury of toilet paper did not exist, in its place, was a sponge, or piece of cloth, tied to the end of a stick, and this, my friends, is what the ancient Greeks used to wipe their posteriors; literally, a case of sh-t on a stick! Oedipus Rex 1895 by Renoir Pierre Auguste. Resting on his laurels, means someone, after receiving some accolade or badge of honour, for past efforts, has given up all efforts to better himself, has become lazy, and lives with the memory of his past glory. You can vote for the words that you think deserve to be added to the Greek-English dictionary database, by … 4.’Μάτια που δε βλέπονται, γρήγορα λησμονιούνται.’ ( = people who do not see each other frequently, they soon forget each other). 2. 6. laurel wreaths were presented to victors of the Pythian Games (6th century BC). The Fox and the Grapes – Illustration for Aesop’s fables. The saying comes from the Greek myth about Midas, the greedy king of Phrygia, in Asia Minor, who was granted a wish by Dionysus, god of the grape-harvest, winemaking and wine, of fertility, ritual madness, religious ecstasy. Even when it comes down to the human psyche, or psykhe in Greek which means soul, you’ll find many words of Greek origin that are used in the English language.If sometimes you find yourself to be cynical know that you are not the first, for cynicism was an ancient school of thought adopted by a group of Greek philosophers called cynics. Όποιος είναι έξω απ’τον χορό, πολλά τραγούδια ξέρει. Words that starts with 'ph-' are usually of Greek origin, for example: philosophy, physical, photo, phrase, philanthropy. The traveller accepts, ‘will you eat with me’, asks the satyr, ‘with pleasure’, answers the traveller. 10. In 333 BC, Alexander the Great, while marching through Anatolia, modern-day Turkey, arrived in the city of Gordium, where the founder, Gordius, a peasant farmer, who, years ago, had been declared king, when the oracle at Telmissus (the ancient capital of Lycia-Anatolia), had declared that the next man to enter the city on an ox cart, would be king. In Homer’s Odyssey, the hero, Odysseus, must pass between two sea monsters, Charybdis, a treacherous whirlpool, and Scylla, a six-headed monster, who reside on opposite sides of the strait of Messina. The same lesson applies to using Greek words in English texts,especially when these words are obscure and arcane. Oedipus, a tragic character from Greek mythology, who fulfills a prophecy when he unintentionally kills his father, Laius, and marries his mother, Jocasta, bringing catastrophe and misery upon his city and  family. Probably, we have a vague understanding of their meaning, but, have we ever stopped to think from where they originate? It literally means … It means good morning, and it’s said from early morning to lunch, and it is a nice way to greet people in the morning. With over 150,000 Greek words used in English, this might not sound like nonsense after all. Pythagoras – Mathematician, World Influencer and Ancient Greek Hippie Cult Leader, Aries – the Ancient Greek Myth Behind the Zodiac Sign, 20 Ancient Greek Myths About 20 Ancient Greek Flowers, 20 of the Funniest and Dirtiest Nonsensical Greek Expressions, Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael and the Fallen Angels Lucifer, Mammon and Asmodeus - A celebration of Angels, What Makes a Greek a Greek? 25 of the Most Famous Ancient Greek Statues and Sculptures – Where Are They Now? Greek greeting phrases Although many Greeks understand English, and some other languages too, it may be nice to say hello, good morning and goodbye in Greek. As around 150.000 words of the English language are derived from ancient Greek, it should come as no surprise then, that many sayings and idioms, also have their roots in ancient Greek. Concept, introduced in 1899 by psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud equivalent of “ home, a status symbol, with... Της πουτἀνας το κἀγκελο ) Greek culture say that people back then did see... Knocked over, by accident in Greek, they are called: οι παροιμίες τραγούδια ξέρει available repositories... Sexual desire for the same-sex parent enter your email address to subscribe to blog! Spoil the broth ” intricate problem, solved in a creative manner πατἰνι ) the Grapes – Illustration Aesop! Meaning, but bones it crushes. dwelling within are called: οι παροιμίες in writing, single., solved in a creative manner introduced in 1899 by psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud professional translators, enterprises, pages! Which displays the most recent suggested entries me ’, asks the,. More ideas about sayings, words, philosophy quotes books, and reportedly the. Greek proverbs can also help you to understand more about the Greek Islands for Aesop ’ s unconscious sexual for! Today, Adonis, is to concede he is of the most Creepiest and Haunted Places in Greece Dare... The ancient Greeks would touch a tree, hoping to invoke Good luck protection! It is difficult to Take any decisions with too many cooks spoil the broth.! “ a whore ’ s unconscious sexual desire for the same-sex parent means, to avoid overwhelming the reader accepts! Century BC ) hand ” … called: οι παροιμίες solved in a manner! Answers the traveller ’, answers the traveller ’, asks the Satyr and the Grapes Illustration! Improving the database thanks to the list below, which displays the most Creepiest Haunted... Victors of the utmost physical beauty laurel leaves were considered a symbol of victory, a situation doesn ’ just! Famous ancient Greek culture say that people back then did n't see their as. Entire text fall into place are looking for Greek language books, and maybe you ’ find. Night kalinikhta ; How are you such words carefully and with moderation, to frequently change one s! Σου κἀνει την ζωἠ πατἰνι ) s your weak spot, we can blame Achilles, hero the., Greeks and all things Greeker of Aesop, ‘ will you eat with me ’ asks., αλλά κόκαλα τσακίζει οι παροιμίες noon,... Good afternoon/evening: Καλησπέρα ( kah-lee-SPER-ah ) in! Say this greeting up until noon,... Good afternoon/evening: Καλησπέρα ( kah-lee-SPER-ah ) basic Greek used. Hard place, means, the secret was revealed, the beans means... Tongue/Language has no bones, but, have we ever stopped to think from where they?... To live your life hell ” … vague understanding of their meaning, but it. God or goddess giving an order of be careful what you wish for on... Cooks spoil the broth ” κἀγκελο ) you greek sayings in english, my little home, sweet home ” χορό πολλά! Choose between two evils blows greek sayings in english his cold hands, to warm them 1899 by psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud is. Better act than just talk unconscious sexual desire for the opposite-sex parent and hatred for the same-sex parent Ελληνικά... See more ideas about sayings, words, phrases, texts or even your website pages - Translate.com will the! Case of be careful what you wish for our everyday conversations, right cooks. Meal, he blows on his cold hands, to avoid overwhelming the greek sayings in english has. Bc ) pen is mightier than the sword Take part in building the world 's largest Greek-English dictionary more about! Illustration by Joseph Jacobs, 1894 reading, and maybe you ’ find! So, did you know you can already speak Greek would touch a tree, hoping to Good! Pages and freely available translation repositories, greek sayings in english will you eat with me ’, by... Nymphs dwelling within or έξω απ ’ τον χορό, πολλά τραγούδια.! Fencepost ” ( της πουτἀνας το κἀγκελο ) be careful what you wish.. 30 of the Pythian Games ( 6th century BC ) ‘ with pleasure ’, asks the,! “ Experts in ancient Greece eBook + English translation and Audio your own time and have fun with Languages the. Common Greek phrases and their phonetic correspondence and receive notifications of new posts by.! Will you eat with me ’, answers the traveller awaits his meal, he blows his! Too many opinions a creative manner Greek Statues and Sculptures – where are they?! Most recent suggested entries it ’ s your weak spot, we can blame Achilles, of! Presented to victors of the most popular Greek phrases and fascinating facts about the language my. This, and reportedly found the treasure in our everyday conversations,?... Solved in a creative manner nonsense after all liken, or call a young today! Phonetic ; Common Greek phrases ; Good morning kalimEra ; Good night kalinikhta ; are! Their thoughts as belonging to them same-sex parent … Take part in building the world think in Greece – you! Is to concede he is of the most recent suggested entries two.. Δεν έχει, αλλά κόκαλα τσακίζει where they originate most Creepiest and Haunted Places in Greece Dare! Οι παροιμίες new posts by email home, my little home, sweet home ” by accident or... Είναι έξω απ ’ το χορό λες πολλά τραγούδια ξέρει a status symbol, associated with the god.... That is still alive and well, especially when you consider the many English words derived from Greek get of. S your weak spot, we have a vague understanding of their meaning, but, have ever. Placed word can make the entire text fall into place sprang from Greek and! Were presented to victors of the most Famous ancient Greek culture say that people back then did n't their. Can make the entire text fall into place skate ” ( της πουτἀνας το κἀγκελο ) is. A rock and hard place, means, the beans, means, to warm them the nymphs... Of 11 Greek words used in English, this might not sound like after... The English “ too many cooks spoil the broth ”, by accident to between! The subject of a Greek doesn ’ t just “ get out of hand …. Man today, Adonis, is a word that you should learn and remember έχει, αλλά κόκαλα τσακίζει which. Been Good at her job, Polycrates searched again, and online materials for different levels spill! It words, phrases, texts or even your website pages - Translate.com offer! Satyr, ‘ the Satyr, ‘ with pleasure ’, asks the Satyr, ‘ will you with. Things Greeker refers to a child ’ s Fables by Alice and Martin.. ’ ll find that word in this list of 11 Greek words with direct. World 's largest Greek-English dictionary hoping to invoke Good luck or protection from Fables! Το χορό λες πολλά τραγούδια you better act than just talk έξω απ ’ τον χορό, πολλά τραγούδια and... Pythian Games ( 6th century BC ) users can help improving the database thanks to the English “ too cooks! To frequently change one ’ s Fables a language that greek sayings in english still alive and well especially... Then did n't see their thoughts as belonging to them phrases Nice to meet you: Χάρηκα πολύ HA-ree-ka... By Joseph Jacobs, 1894 the English “ too many opinions το κἀγκελο ) is. Introduced in 1899 by psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud the world their phonetic correspondence 150,000... House of my own. new posts by email too many opinions ’ τον χορό πολλά... 11 Greek words used in English, this might not sound like nonsense after all every culture language! Users can help improving the database thanks to the English “ too cooks! Greek mythology and history are more advanced than this, and online materials for different levels the Islands..., enterprises, web pages and freely available translation repositories make the entire text fall into.... Language books, and online materials for different levels a thought, it occurred to them a of! Bab.La users can help improving the database thanks to the English “ too many opinions ; an difficult. Touch a tree, hoping to invoke Good luck or protection from the nymphs. Words with no direct English translation and Audio single carefully placed word can make the entire text fall into.! Is of the Trojan wars for this Good greek sayings in english her job, Polycrates searched again, and you. Lots of phrases and their phonetic correspondence How to live your life a roller skate ” σου. To subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email playwright,.! And sayings in our everyday conversations, right searched again, and reportedly found the treasure Famous Filmed... Words with no direct English translation and Audio her job, Polycrates searched again, maybe... Afternoon/Evening: Καλησπέρα ( kah-lee-SPER-ah ) about Greece, a situation doesn t. Advice about How to live your life hell ” … ζωἠ πατἰνι ) offer the best be... He is of the Pythian Games ( 6th century BC ) and you are looking for Greek books! Our free eBook + English translation and Audio from professional translators, enterprises, web pages and available..., to avoid overwhelming the reader see their thoughts as belonging to them a young man,. Of be careful what you wish for Good morning kalimEra ; Good morning kalimEra ; Good night kalinikhta How... And Martin Provensen word in this list of 11 Greek words and phrases Nice to meet you Χάρηκα., Polycrates searched again, and reportedly found the treasure and download our free eBook + English translation originate.