Palabra Lexi · common words in Greek
How to say "time" in Greek
"Time" in Greek is χρόνος (chrónos), pronounced HRO-nos (stress on the syllable in capitals). In short: time in general (Δεν έχω χρόνο, "I have no time"); also "year". It is a masculine noun (ο χρόνος). Also: φορά, an occurrence, counting how many times (τρεις φορές, "three times"; μία φορά, "once"); καιρός, a stretch of time (πολύ καιρό, "for a long time"); also "the weather".
| Greek | χρόνος |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | chrónos |
| Pronunciation | HRO-nos |
| Meaning | time, year |
| Gender | masculine: ο χρόνος |
| Frequency | #67 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 χρόνος
Χρόνος is pronounced HRO-nos, in IPA /ˈxɾo.nos/. The stress falls on HRO, the syllable in capitals. Greek shows this in writing: the accent mark sits on the stressed vowel.
- Χ is a rough h, like the ch in Scottish "loch".
Listen: normal and slow speed, in your browser's Greek voice. IPA: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.
Is χρόνος masculine, feminine or neuter?
Χρόνος is masculine, so it takes the article ο: ο χρόνος. That fits the usual pattern: most nouns ending in -ος are masculine.
Example sentences
Δεν έχω χρόνο
I have no time
ο χρόνος περνάει γρήγορα
time passes quickly
πολύς χρόνος
a lot of time
"Time" in Greek: everyday use and word roots
Χρόνος is time and also "year"; καιρός is weather and, in ancient Greek, the right moment (kairos).
Word roots
- English words from the same root: chronology, chronic, synchronize
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 χρόνος
χρόνος [HRO-nos] sounds like the English “chrono”. Picture this:
Chronometer Chronos winds the year with a giant key; the seasons tick past like hands.
A sound-alike plus a vivid scene is the keyword method, a well-studied way to learn vocabulary. How it works.
Practice χρόνος
Two quick games, right here: no sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere.