Palabra Lexi · common words in Greek
How to say "love" in Greek
"Love" in Greek is αγάπη (agápi), pronounced a-GA-pi (stress on the syllable in capitals). In short: love in general: for family, friends, a partner. It is a feminine noun (η αγάπη, plural οι αγάπες). Also: έρωτας, romantic, passionate love; being in love.
| Greek | αγάπη |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | agápi |
| Pronunciation | a-GA-pi |
| Meaning | love |
| Gender | feminine: η αγάπη |
| Plural | οι αγάπες |
| Frequency | #11 in the Palabra list of common Greek words |
Pronunciation is spelled out in English, one syllable at a time, with the stressed syllable in capitals; Greek marks that syllable with an accent in writing too. The speaker button uses your browser's built-in Greek voice. Gender and plural: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.
How to pronounce αγάπη
Αγάπη is pronounced a-GA-pi, in IPA /aˈɣa.pi/. The stress falls on GA, the syllable in capitals. Greek shows this in writing: the accent mark sits on the stressed vowel.
- Γ before a, o, u or a consonant is a soft, voiced gh.
Listen: normal and slow speed, in your browser's Greek voice. IPA: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.
Is αγάπη masculine, feminine or neuter?
Αγάπη is feminine, so it takes the article η: η αγάπη. The plural is οι αγάπες. That fits the usual pattern: most nouns ending in -α and -η are feminine.
Example sentences
Η αγάπη είναι τυφλή.
Love is blind.
Η αγάπη νικάει.
Love wins.
Η αγάπη είναι στην καρδιά.
Love is in the heart.
"Love" in Greek: everyday use and word roots
Modern Greek has two main words: αγάπη, love in general (family, friends, a partner), and έρωτας, romantic and passionate love. Ancient Greek also had φιλία (friendship) and στοργή (family affection); all four are still Greek words.
Useful phrases
- Σ' αγαπώ.
I love you. - αγάπη μου
my love, a common way to address a partner or a child
Regional words and roots: Wiktionary and the Liddell–Scott Greek lexicon. Greek varies by region, so treat these as the most common patterns, not strict rules.
How to remember αγάπη
αγάπη [a-GA-pi] sounds like the English “a gap”. Picture this:
Love jumps across a gap between two rooftops and lands right in the waiting arms.
A sound-alike plus a vivid scene is the keyword method, a well-studied way to learn vocabulary. How it works.
Practice αγάπη
Two quick games, right here: no sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere.