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.

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 κεφάλι	to ke-FA-li	head	Πονάει το κεφάλι μου. (My head hurts.)
το μάτι	to MA-ti	eye	Έχει πράσινα μάτια. (She has green eyes.)
το αυτί	to af-TI	ear	Δεν ακούω καλά με το δεξί αυτί. (I don't hear well with my right ear.)
η μύτη	i MI-ti	nose	Η μύτη του είναι μεγάλη. (His nose is big.)
το στόμα	to STO-ma	mouth	Άνοιξε το στόμα σου. (Open your mouth.)
το χέρι	to HE-ri	hand/arm	Σήκωσε το χέρι σου. (Raise your hand.)
το πόδι	to PO-di	foot/leg	Με πονάει το πόδι μου. (My leg hurts.)
η καρδιά	i kar-DI-a	heart	Η καρδιά μου χτυπάει γρήγορα. (My heart is beating fast.)
η πλάτη	i PLA-ti	back	Έχω πόνο στην πλάτη. (I have back pain.)
η κοιλιά	i ki-LI-a	stomach/belly	Η κοιλιά μου είναι άδεια. (My stomach is empty.)
το δάχτυλο	to DAHK-ti-lo	finger/toe	Έκοψα το δάχτυλό μου. (I cut my finger.)
τα μαλλιά	ta ma-LI-a	hair	Τα μαλλιά της είναι μακριά. (Her hair is long.)
ο λαιμός	o le-MOS	neck/throat	Με πονάει ο λαιμός μου. (My throat hurts.)
ο ώμος	o O-mos	shoulder	Σήκωσε τους ώμους σου. (Shrug your shoulders.)
το γόνατο	to GO-na-to	knee	Λύγισε τα γόνατά σου. (Bend your knees.)
το δόντι	to DON-di	tooth	Πονάει το δόντι μου. (My tooth hurts.)
η γλώσσα	i 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.