Greek Words for Body Parts: Essential Vocabulary Guide

Learning Greek words for body parts is fundamental for everyday conversations, from visiting a doctor to describing yourself. This comprehensive guide covers essential vocabulary that every Greek learner needs to know.

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Essential Body Parts Vocabulary

These core Greek words for body parts form the foundation of physical descriptions and health-related conversations.

Word & Pronunciation	English	Example
το κεφάλιto ke-FA-li	head	Πονάει το κεφάλι μου. (My head hurts.)
το μάτιto MA-ti	eye	Έχει πράσινα μάτια. (She has green eyes.)
το αυτίto af-TI	ear	Δεν ακούω καλά με το δεξί αυτί. (I don't hear well with my right ear.)
η μύτηi MI-ti	nose	Η μύτη του είναι μεγάλη. (His nose is big.)
το στόμαto STO-ma	mouth	Άνοιξε το στόμα σου. (Open your mouth.)
το χέριto HE-ri	hand/arm	Σήκωσε το χέρι σου. (Raise your hand.)
το πόδιto PO-di	foot/leg	Με πονάει το πόδι μου. (My leg hurts.)
η καρδιάi kar-DI-a	heart	Η καρδιά μου χτυπάει γρήγορα. (My heart is beating fast.)
η πλάτηi PLA-ti	back	Έχω πόνο στην πλάτη. (I have back pain.)
η κοιλιάi ki-LI-a	stomach/belly	Η κοιλιά μου είναι άδεια. (My stomach is empty.)
το δάχτυλοto DAHK-ti-lo	finger/toe	Έκοψα το δάχτυλό μου. (I cut my finger.)
τα μαλλιάta ma-LI-a	hair	Τα μαλλιά της είναι μακριά. (Her hair is long.)
ο λαιμόςo le-MOS	neck/throat	Με πονάει ο λαιμός μου. (My throat hurts.)
ο ώμοςo O-mos	shoulder	Σήκωσε τους ώμους σου. (Shrug your shoulders.)
το γόνατοto GO-na-to	knee	Λύγισε τα γόνατά σου. (Bend your knees.)
το δόντιto DON-di	tooth	Πονάει το δόντι μου. (My tooth hurts.)
η γλώσσαi GLO-sa	tongue	Δείξε μου τη γλώσσα σου. (Show me your tongue.)

Common Phrases

These everyday expressions will help you use Greek words for body parts in natural conversation.

• Πού πονάει; (PU po-NA-i) — Where does it hurt?
• Με πονάει εδώ. (me po-NA-i e-DO) — It hurts here.
• Έχω πονοκέφαλο. (E-ho po-no-KE-fa-lo) — I have a headache.
• Έχω πονόλαιμο. (E-ho po-NO-le-mo) — I have a sore throat.
• Σπάσε το πόδι σου! (SPA-se to PO-di su) — Break a leg! (Good luck!)
• Κρατάω στο χέρι μου. (kra-TA-o sto HE-ri mu) — I'm holding in my hand.
• Με τα μάτια κλειστά. (me ta MA-tia kli-STA) — With eyes closed.
• Από την κορυφή ως τα νύχια. (a-PO tin ko-ri-FI os ta NI-hia) — From head to toe.

Usage Notes

Understanding how Greek handles body part vocabulary will help you use these words correctly.

Gender and Articles: All Greek nouns have grammatical gender. Body parts can be masculine (ο), feminine (η), or neuter (το). The article must match: το χέρι (the hand), η μύτη (the nose), ο λαιμός (the neck).

Singular vs. Plural: Paired body parts like eyes, ears, and hands are often discussed in plural form. Note that τα μαλλιά (hair) is always plural in Greek, unlike English.

Dual Meanings: Some Greek words for body parts cover broader meanings than their English equivalents:

• Το χέρι means both "hand" and "arm" — context determines which
• Το πόδι means both "foot" and "leg"
• Ο λαιμός means both "neck" and "throat"

Possessive Pronouns: When discussing your own body parts, Greeks typically use the possessive pronoun: το κεφάλι μου (my head), τα μάτια σου (your eyes).

Idiomatic Expressions: Many Greek idioms use body parts. For example, Είναι χέρι-χέρι (They're hand in hand) means two people are very close or in agreement.

Practice Sentences

Use these example sentences to practice Greek words for body parts in context.

• Έχω μπλε μάτια και καστανά μαλλιά.
  E-ho ble MA-tia ke ka-sta-NA ma-LI-a.
  I have blue eyes and brown hair.
• Ο γιατρός εξέτασε τα αυτιά μου.
  O ya-TROS ek-SE-ta-se ta af-TI-a mu.
  The doctor examined my ears.
• Πλένω τα χέρια μου πριν το φαγητό.
  PLE-no ta HE-ria mu prin to fa-yi-TO.
  I wash my hands before the meal.
• Το μωρό έχει μικρά δαχτυλάκια.
  To mo-RO E-hi mi-KRA dah-ti-LA-kia.
  The baby has tiny little fingers.
• Χτύπησα το γόνατό μου στο τραπέζι.
  Hti-PI-sa to GO-na-TO mu sto tra-PE-zi.
  I hit my knee on the table.
• Η καρδιά του χτυπάει δυνατά.
  I kar-DI-a tu hti-PA-i di-na-TA.
  His heart is beating strongly.
• Σήκωσε τα πόδια σου από το πάτωμα.
  SI-ko-se ta PO-dia su a-PO to PA-to-ma.
  Lift your feet off the floor.
• Έβαλα το δάχτυλο στη μύτη μου.
  E-va-la to DAHK-ti-lo sti MI-ti mu.
  I put my finger on my nose.