Greek word for time

Translations for time and their definitions

φορά
1. n. time (instance or occurrence)
την πρώτη φορά (Pī́re den pī́re ekató eurṓ.) — the first time
2. n. (mathematics) times
πέντε φορές (Pī́re den pī́re ekató eurṓ.) — five times
3. n. speed, impetus

χρόνος
1. n. time
2. n. year
3. n. volume (issues of a periodical over a period of one year)

καιρός
1. n. weather
καιρού επιτρέποντος — weather permitting
2. n. time, events
από καιρό σε καιρό — from time to time

ποινή
1. n. (legal) punishment, sentence, penalty

ώρα
1. n. hour (1/24 of a day)
2. n. time (A quantity of availability in time, time of day as indicated by a clock, some specific time, right time, time for something)
Δεν είχα αρκετή ώρα. (Pī́re den pī́re ekató eurṓ.) — I did not have enough time.
Τι ώρα είναι; (Pī́re den pī́re ekató eurṓ.) — What time is it?
Είναι ώρα να φύγουμε. (Pī́re den pī́re ekató eurṓ.) — It’s time for us to leave.
Είμαι στην ώρα μου. (Pī́re den pī́re ekató eurṓ.) — I am on time

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Time is a human invention. It’s used to make our everyday lives easier, since it helps us communicate effectively. 

Ever wondered how to tell the hours, minutes, and seconds in Greek? Or about the Greek word for time? 

Even if you’ve never wondered, you’ll certainly need this knowledge while visiting Greece or when talking with your Greek friends. 

From arranging a business appointment to arranging a date with someone you really like, telling the time in Greek is a pretty important skill to learn. 

Telling the time in Greek is very similar to English, so this is considered an easy chapter. The first thing you need to know is that Greece uses both the twenty-four-hour format and the twelve-hour format, the latter of which is more often used in verbal speech. Secondly, you need to familiarize yourself with the Greek numbers.  

Thirdly, just keep reading and all of your questions around how to tell the time in Greek will be answered.

Table of Contents

1. How to Ask for the Time in Greek
2. The Hours in Greek
3. Minutes and Seconds in Greek
4. The Hours Divided into Minute-Packages
5. General Time Reference Throughout the Day
6. Time Adverbs in Greek
7. Greek Proverbs and Sayings Related to Time
8. Conclusion

1. How to Ask for the Time in Greek

Asking for the time in Greek is probably the most important aspect of time-telling you need to know. 

• Greek: Τι ώρα είναι;
• Romanization: Ti óra íne?
• Translation: “What time is it?”

Pretty easy, right?

Now let’s have a look at how to ask for the time of a specific event. 

• Greek: Τι ώρα είναι ο αγώνας / η συγκέντρωση / το ραντεβού;
• Romanization: Ti óra íne o agónas / i singéndrosi / to randevú?
• Translation: “What time is the game / the gathering / the appointment?”

Now let’s assume your phone battery is dead and you’re not wearing a watch. How could you possibly find out what time it is? The answer lies right below.

• Greek: Μήπως έχετε ώρα, παρακαλώ;
• Romanization: Mípos éhete óra, parakaló?
• Translation: “Do you have the time, please?”

The question above is widely used and it’s considered pretty polite when you’re not sure if someone has a watch or when you don’t know each other. The answer here would be the current time, thus this phrase can be used as an alternative to the simple Τι ώρα είναι; question. 

2. The Hours in Greek

First things first, let’s have a look at how to say the hours in Greek. 

• Greek: η ώρα
• Romanization: i óra
• Translation: “hour” / “o’ clock”

• Greek: ακριβώς
• Romanization: akrivós
• Translation: “sharp”

So, when you need to tell the hour, you can use the sentence below.

• Greek: Είναι……………….. η ώρα (ακριβώς).
• Romanization: Íne ………………….. i óra (akrivós).
• Translation: “It’s ……………………….. o’clock (sharp).”

While the addition of ακριβώς is optional, you can fill the blank space above with one of the hours below. 

Hours in Greek:

• μία (mía) — “one”
• δύο (dío) — “two”
• τρεις (tris) — “three”
• τέσσερις (téseris) — “four”
• πέντε (péde) — “five”
• έξι (éxi) — “six”
• επτά/εφτά (eptá/eftá) — “seven”
• οκτώ/οχτώ (októ/ohtó) — “eight”
• εννέα/εννιά (enéa/eniá) — “nine”
• δέκα (déka) — “ten”
• έντεκα (édeka) — “eleven”
• δώδεκα (dódeka) — “twelve”

In verbal speech in Greece, the most common way to tell the time is based on the twelve-hour clock. However, in written speech, it’s more common to use the twenty-four-hour clock.

3. Minutes and Seconds in Greek

Time flies. With GreekPod101.com, you won’t realize how quickly you’ll be an expert in Greek. As minutes and seconds pass by, you get a little bit closer to your Greek learning goals!

So, here’s how to say the minutes and the seconds in Greek. It will take only a minute to learn this!

• Greek: το λεπτό / τα λεπτά
• Romanization: to leptó / ta leptá
• Translation: “minute” / “minutes”

• Greek: το δευτερόλεπτο / τα δευτερόλεπτα
• Romanization: to defterólepto / ta defterólepta
• Translation: “second” / “seconds”

• Greek: και
• Romanization: ke
• Translation: equivalent to “and” / “past” in English

• Greek: παρά
• Romanization: pará
• Translation: equivalent to “to” in English

Now, let’s have a look at how to tell the time through some comprehensive examples:

• Greek: Είναι τρεις και δεκαοκτώ (03:18 / 15:18).
• Romanization: Íne tris ke dekaoktó.
• Translation: “It’s eighteen past three.”

• Greek: Είναι δύο παρά εικοσιπέντε (01:35 / 13:35).
• Romanization: Íne dío pará ikosipénde.
• Translation: “It’s twenty-five to two.”

4. The Hours Divided into Minute-Packages

• Greek: μισή
• Romanization: misí
• Translation: “half”

• Greek: τέταρτο
• Romanization: tétarto
• Translation: “quarter”

There is no Greek equivalent for “a third” of the hour. This can be translated in Greek as και είκοσι

or παρά είκοσι, as referenced in the previous section of this article. 

Here are some helpful phrases for telling time in Greek this way:

• Greek: Είναι έξι και τέταρτο.
• Romanization: Íne éxi ke tétarto.
• Translation: “It’s a quarter past six.”

• Greek: Είναι οκτώ παρά τέταρτο.
• Romanization: Íne októ pará tétarto.
• Translation: “It’s a quarter to eight.”

• Greek: Είναι έξι και μισή.
• Romanization: Íne éxi ke misí.
• Translation: “It’s half past six.”

5. General Time Reference Throughout the Day

Since the twelve-hour clock is preferred in oral speech in Greece, when someone says “at nine o’clock,” you probably need to know if they’re referring to the morning or the evening. This is indicated by using the phrases below.

• Greek: το πρωί
• Romanization: to proí
• Translation: “in the morning”

Example:

Greek: Στις έξι (η ώρα) το πρωί. 

Romanization: Stis éxi (i óra) to proí.

Translation: “At six (o’clock) in the morning.”

• Greek: το απόγευμα
• Romanization: to apóyevma
• Translation: “the afternoon”

Example:

Greek: Στις τρεις (η ώρα) το απόγευμα. 

Romanization: Stis tris (i óra) to apóyevma.

Translation: “At three (o’clock) in the afternoon.”

• Greek: το βράδυ
• Romanization: to vrádi
• Translation: “the night”

Example:

Greek: Στις δέκα (η ώρα) το βράδυ. 

Romanization: Stis déka (i óra) to vrádi.

Translation: “At ten (o’clock) at night.”

While the words above are common in everyday speech, in formal situations—for example, in the news—the way to indicate the exact time in Greek is by using the appropriate phrase from the list below.

• Greek: προ μεσημβρίας (π.μ.)
• Romanization: pro mesimvrías
• Translation: “ante meridiem” (a.m.) / “before midday”

• Greek: μετά μεσημβρίαν (μ.μ.)
• Romanization: metá mesimvrían
• Translation: “post meridiem” (p.m.) / “after midday”

However, at this point, you should note that in Greek you need to say the full phrase instead of just the initials. 

Here are some more time reference phrases you can use to indicate different time periods throughout the day. 

• Greek: το μεσημέρι
• Romanization: to mesiméri
• Translation: “noon” / “midday”

Example:

Greek: Στις δώδεκα το μεσημέρι. 

Romanization: Stis dódeka to mesiméri.

Translation: “At twelve o’clock noon.”

• Greek: τα μεσάνυχτα
• Romanization: ta mesánihta
• Translation: “midnight”

Example:

Greek: Είναι δώδεκα τα μεσάνυχτα. 

Romanization: Íne dódeka ta mesánihta.

Translation: “It’s twelve o’clock midnight.”

• Greek: το ξημέρωμα / τα ξημερώματα
• Romanization: to ximéroma / ta ximerómata
• Translation: “dawn/early morning hours”

Example:

Greek: Ήρθε στις πέντε η ώρα τα ξημερώματα. 

Romanization: Írthe stis pénde i óra ta ximerómata.

Translation: “He came at five o’clock in the morning.”

6. Time Adverbs in Greek

In this section, we present you with a list of some useful time adverbs in Greek to cover each and every case. All of these words for time in Greek can answer the question “When?”

• Greek: τώρα
• Romanization: tóra
• Translation: “now”

• Greek: αυτήν τη στιγμή
• Romanization: aftín ti stigmí
• Translation: “currently” / “at this moment”

• Greek: εν τω μεταξύ
• Romanization: en to metaxí
• Translation: “meanwhile”

• Greek: πριν
• Romanization: prin
• Translation: “before”

• Greek: μετά
• Romanization: metá
• Translation: “after” / “later”

• Greek: σύντομα
• Romanization: síndoma
• Translation: “soon”

• Greek: σχεδόν
• Romanization: schedón
• Translation: “almost”

• Greek: σε λίγο / σε λιγάκι
• Romanization: se lígo / se ligáki
• Translation: “in a bit” / “in a little while”

• Greek: το συντομότερο δυνατό
• Romanization: to sindomótero dinató
• Translation: “as soon as possible”

• Greek: οποιαδήποτε στιγμή
• Romanization: opiadípote stigmí
• Translation: “anytime”

• Greek: για πολύ καιρό
• Romanization: ya polí keró
• Translation: “for a long time”

7. Greek Proverbs and Sayings Related to Time

Learning some proverbs always takes you a step further into getting to know the Greek culture. Therefore, here are some of the most popular proverbs, sayings, and time expressions in Greek.

• Greek: Ο χρόνος είναι χρήμα.
• Romanization: O hrónos íne hríma.
• Translation: “Time is money.”

• Greek: Ο χρόνος είναι ο καλύτερος γιατρός.
• Romanization: O hrónos íne o kalíteros yatrós.
• Translation: “Time is the best doctor (corresponding to ‘Time heals all wounds.’).”

• Greek: Ο χρόνος πίσω δεν γυρνά.
• Romanization: O hrónos píso den yirná.
• Translation: “Time doesn’t come back.”

• Greek: Ή τώρα ή ποτέ.
• Romanization: Í tóra i poté.
• Translation: “It’s either now or never.”

8. Conclusion

O χρόνος πίσω δεν γυρνά. This is certain. 

So start learning Greek today with GreekPod101.com!

Ή τώρα ή ποτε!

Start by practicing the pronunciation of some of the most important words included in this article. Then, we suggest that you read our blog post on Dates in Greek to gain a more spherical knowledge on the subject. 

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In the meantime… What time is it now while you read this blog post? Write the current hour in Greek in the comments section below.

The ancient Greeks had two words for time: chronos (χρόνος) and kairos. The former refers to chronological or sequential time, while the latter signifies a proper or opportune time for action. While chronos is quantitative, kairos has a qualitative, permanent nature. Kairos also means weather in Modern Greek.

What is the meaning of logus?

Logus is defined as “reason or the rational principle expressed in words and things, argument, or justification; esp personified as the source of order in the universe”.

What is the meaning of the Greek word logos?

Logos – Longer definition: The Greek word logos (traditionally meaning word, thought, principle, or speech) has been used among both philosophers and theologians. In the New Testament, the phrase “Word (Logos) of God,” found in John 1:1 and elsewhere, shows God’s desire and ability to “speak” to the human.

What is the purpose of Kairos?

Kairos, adapted from Greek to mean “God’s Time,” is a Christian retreat program geared toward deepening one’s faith, identity, relationships, and connection to God’s role in our lives. This retreat is an opportunity to find meaning in the highs and lows of your life. Kairos is a journey of the heart, mind, and soul.

What is the synonym of moments?

Some common synonyms of moment are consequence, importance, significance, and weight.

What does ethos mean in English?

Ethos is a Greek word meaning ‘character’. In terms of persuasive language, it is an appeal to authority and credibility. Ethos is a means of convincing an audience of the reliable character or credibility of the speaker/writer, or the credibility of the argument.

What is an exigency?

1 : that which is required in a particular situation —usually used in plural exceptionally quick in responding to the exigencies of modern warfare— D. B. Ottaway. 2a : the quality or state of being exigent. b : a state of affairs that makes urgent demands a leader must act in any sudden exigency.

What is another word for exigency?

Some common synonyms of exigency are contingency, crisis, emergency, juncture, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words mean “a critical or crucial time or state of affairs,” exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

What is difference between exigency and emergency?

As nouns the difference between exigency and emergency is that exigency is the demands or requirements of a situation (usually plural ) while emergency is a situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention.

What does personal exigency mean?

Think of a mix of excitement and emergency, and you have exigency, a sudden, urgent crisis. The very word conjures up danger and intrigue that demand a cool head and an immediate effort at a solution.

How do you use the word exigency?

Exigency in a Sentence 🔉

1. In the hot summer months, a bottle of water is an exigency if you are planning on running several miles.
2. Although my son hates taking his medicine, it is an exigency that must be consumed for his physical wellbeing.

What does desideratum mean?

: something desired as essential detached individuality does not seem to be a desideratum of the Vedantic mind— Robert Bierstedt.

What is exigency in writing?

In rhetoric, exigence is an issue, problem, or situation that causes or prompts someone to write or speak. The term exigence comes from the Latin word for “demand.” It was popularized in rhetorical studies by Lloyd Bitzer in “The Rhetorical Situation” (“Philosophy and Rhetoric,” 1968).

What is the difference between exigency and Kairos?

Kairos/Exigency In the rhetorical situation kairos represents the best time for a specific argument to discussed. It is the most opportune time for an argument to have the most impact and persuasion. Exigency: Is the urgency of a topic and the reason it is important to discuss it right now.

What is a constraint?

: something that limits or restricts someone or something. : control that limits or restricts someone’s actions or behavior. See the full definition for constraint in the English Language Learners Dictionary. constraint.

What is Kairos and Exigence?

At the beginning of the pandemic, many companies immediately reshaped their messaging: as a result of an urgency (exigence) and timeliness (kairos), they assured us that doing business with them was safe. Amazon, for example, didn’t have to think about their customers’ health before, but now they do.

What are ethos logos and pathos?

Logos​ ​(Logical)​ means persuading by the use of reasoning. Ethos is an appeal to ethics, and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader. ● Pathos is an appeal to emotion, and is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response.

What is Greek word for time?

The ancient Greeks had two different words for the concept of time — “chronos” and “kairos”. The word “chronos” (you probably recognize this one as the root for the English words “chronological” and “chronicle”) refers to measured, ticking, quantitative time.

What does Kyros mean in Greek?

Kairos (Ancient Greek: καιρός) is an Ancient Greek word meaning the right, critical, or opportune moment. The ancient Greeks had two words for time: chronos (χρόνος) and kairos. … Kairos also means weather in Modern Greek.

Who is the Greek god of time?

Cronus

What does Yassas mean in Greek?

yassas = hello or goodbye – γειά σας. A greeting to more people or a more formal and polite way to greet an unknown person.

What does kalimera mean in Greek?

Kalimera/Kalispera/Kalinihta Translation: Good morning/Good evening/Goodnight. Break Down: Kalo/i = good, mera=day, nihta=night. The Greek word «Kalimera» — credits: Greeking.me. Although these may seem like formal ways to greet someone, these are possibly some of the most commonly-used words in modern-day Greece.

What does Pusti mean in Greek?

I am assuming you’re talking about the Greek phrase: The word pusti has an obscure definition. It has the same connotation as the English word fa*got. The word malaka literally means someone who masturbates a lot. However, the word has come to have a broader definition meaning son of a bi***.

How do you say B in Greek?

When Greeks want to write those sounds they write them as two-letter combinations: [b] is written as μπ (mu + pi), [d] as ντ (nu + tau), and [g] as γκ (gamma + kappa), or as γγ (double gamma).

What does Malaki mean?

messenger of God

Is OK a Greek word?

One theory: it came from the Greek phrase «ola kala,» which means all good. And then there’s the Choctaw word «okeh,» which sounds like and means okay. President Woodrow Wilson reportedly thought it was the «correct» spelling of the word, and would OK documents with «okeh.»16-Mar-2014

What does O and K stand for in OK?

oll korrect

Who invented OK?

Charles Gordon Greene

What is the root word of morning?

The word morning is derived from the Middle English word morewen. Mourning is the expression of grief, the official period of time during which one grieves a death or the trappings of grief, such as black clothing.