15 Cool Greek Words That Will Definitely Impress You;

In the Indo-European language family, Greek is one of the oldest languages. The language has a rich and diverse history. The Phoenician alphabet inspired the writing system of this language. Its history spans more than 2000 years. The periods include the Archaic through Hellenistic periods. 

The ancient roots of the Greek words are pretty much fascinating. Greeks have spoken a unique language for over 3000 years. Greeks have colonized many regions and those countries picked up the alphabets used in Ancient Greece. Although other languages influence the language, the root has not changed but made it even more vital. 

It is a very well-known fact that the dialect of Greece is very poetic. The sound of the language is soothing and easy to learn and can be memorized effortlessly. Greek includes visual images in the meaning of its words, unlike other languages. 

1. Charmolipi/ Joy and Sorrow;

The meaning of this word refers to Joy and Sorrow, etymologically.

The word Chermatoli can be written as an expansion of Chara or Joy, and Molos or sorrow. Charmolipi is not translatable and yet filled with wonderful meaning. Greek words are made up of two words sorrow and joy. It encapsulates in itself the entirety of what life means. 

2. Elpida/ Hope;

This word originates from the word ‘Elpis’ which means hope. 

Elpis was the spirit and embodiment of hope in Greek mythology. The Greek words are often represented by a young woman carrying a cornucopia.

3. Ygeia/Health;

The pronunciation of the word ygeia is ee-yee-ya. This means health in ancient Greece.

The word originates from the name of the Greek goddess of good health Hygeia. The word hygiene is also derived from this word. The Greek greeting Yia Sou for good health is also a part of Ygeia.

4. Philoxenia/ Hospitality;

This word is synonymous with the English term hospitality. The literal translation of the word means “friends with strangers”.

It has a deeper meaning in Greece. It is a culture of generosity and courtesy to guests and strangers. The word originates from the Greek God Zeus Xenius who was considered to be the guardian of travelers. 

5. Kalon/ Beautiful;

The meaning of the word in Greek is beautiful.

It does not only refer to the outer beauty of a person but also the noble intentions and the inner beauty of an honorable character. 

6. Meraki/Soul;

Meraki means soul.

It is described as absolute devotion and passion. When you do something with Meraki, you are giving your soul into it. The word originates from the Turkish term Merak which translates to ‘labor of love’.

7. Yia Sou/Hello;

Yia is short for iyia which means health. The pronunciation is ‘iji:a’. 

The pronunciation is ‘ja: su’. It is one of the most widely used informal Greek greetings. The word is possibly the most popular ancient Greek phrase across the world. When you wish somebody Yia Sou, you wish them good health. 

8. Eudaimonia/Happiness;

This term refers to a content state of being happy, healthy, and prosperous. 

A state in which a human truly flourishes. We should be thankful to Aristotle for the word. This one effortlessly explains something so vast and deeply meaningful. 

9. Paracosm/Imaginary world;

This word comes from two ancient Greek words para and kosmos which means beside and universe respectively. 

Together these two expressions mean a detailed imaginary world. It focuses on the ones that are woven by children. The language is so fascinating that it has a separate word for this wonderful thing. 

10. Agapi/Love;

This is one of the many beautiful Greek words for love in the Greek language.

11. Yia Mas/cheers;

This is equivalent to cheers, a standard toast made by the Greeks before drinking from a glass of alcohol. 

This is also a wish for great health similar to Yia Sou. However, this one refers to one’s own health this time. 

13. Nostalgia/Affection for the Past;

This word is a combination of nostos and algos, meaning homecoming, and longing respectively. 

They make nostalgia together which refers to a deep longing for a time that is gone- especially about something that had in the past but does not own anymore. 

14. Petrichor/Earthy smell;

The meaning refers to the smell of the earth after the first drop of rain touches it. 

 You can close your eyes and imagine that it has just started raining and as the first drops of rain touch the dry ground, there is an earthy smell that overcomes your senses, the aroma of it earthy, and that is what petrichor is. 

15. Agathokakological/Good and Evil;

This word comes from agathos which means good and kakos which means bad.

The word agathokakological is used to denote something or someone made up of both good and bad. It is more like human nature, which is made up of both good and evil. 

Summary;

The ancient roots of the Greek language are pretty much fascinating. Greeks have spoken a unique language for over 3000 years. Greeks have colonized many regions and those countries picked up the alphabets used in Ancient Greece. Although other languages influence the language, the root has not changed but made it even more vital. 

In the Indo-European language family, Greek is one of the oldest languages. The language has a rich and diverse history. The Phoenician alphabet inspired the writing system of this language. Its history spans more than 2000 years.

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