Greek Words for Clothing: Essential Vocabulary Guide
Whether you're shopping in Athens, packing for a trip to the Greek islands, or simply expanding your vocabulary, knowing Greek words for clothing is essential for everyday conversations. This comprehensive guide covers the most important clothing vocabulary you'll need.
Essential Clothing Vocabulary
Let's start with the core Greek words for clothing that every learner should know. These terms cover basic garments you'll encounter daily.
| Word | Pronunciation | English | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| τα ρούχα | ta ROO-ha | clothes | Τα ρούχα μου είναι καθαρά. (My clothes are clean.) |
| το πουκάμισο | to poo-KA-mee-so | shirt | Φοράω ένα άσπρο πουκάμισο. (I'm wearing a white shirt.) |
| το παντελόνι | to pan-de-LO-nee | trousers/pants | Αυτό το παντελόνι είναι πολύ μακρύ. (These trousers are too long.) |
| το φόρεμα | to FO-re-ma | dress | Το κόκκινο φόρεμα είναι πανέμορφο. (The red dress is beautiful.) |
| η φούστα | ee FOO-sta | skirt | Η φούστα της είναι κοντή. (Her skirt is short.) |
| το μπουφάν | to boo-FAN | jacket | Πάρε το μπουφάν σου, κάνει κρύο. (Take your jacket, it's cold.) |
| το παλτό | to pal-TO | coat | Χρειάζομαι ένα καινούριο παλτό. (I need a new coat.) |
| το πουλόβερ | to poo-LO-ver | sweater/pullover | Το πουλόβερ είναι μάλλινο. (The sweater is wool.) |
| η μπλούζα | ee BLOO-za | blouse/top | Αυτή η μπλούζα σου πάει πολύ. (This top suits you well.) |
| το μπλουζάκι | to bloo-ZA-kee | t-shirt | Αγόρασα ένα μπλουζάκι από την Ελλάδα. (I bought a t-shirt from Greece.) |
| τα παπούτσια | ta pa-POO-tsya | shoes | Τα παπούτσια μου είναι άνετα. (My shoes are comfortable.) |
| οι κάλτσες | ee KAL-tses | socks | Φόρεσε καθαρές κάλτσες. (Put on clean socks.) |
| το καπέλο | to ka-PE-lo | hat | Βάλε το καπέλο σου στον ήλιο. (Wear your hat in the sun.) |
| η ζώνη | ee ZO-nee | belt | Η δερμάτινη ζώνη είναι ακριβή. (The leather belt is expensive.) |
| η γραβάτα | ee gra-VA-ta | tie | Πρέπει να φορέσω γραβάτα στη δουλειά. (I must wear a tie at work.) |
| το τζιν | to jeen | jeans | Το τζιν μου είναι σκούρο μπλε. (My jeans are dark blue.) |
| η πιτζάμα | ee pee-JA-ma | pajamas | Φόρεσε την πιτζάμα σου και πήγαινε για ύπνο. (Put on your pajamas and go to sleep.) |
| το μαγιό | to ma-YO | swimsuit | Πήρα το μαγιό μου για την παραλία. (I took my swimsuit for the beach.) |
Common Phrases
When shopping for clothes or discussing what to wear, these expressions will help you communicate effectively in Greek.
- Τι νούμερο φοράτε; (Tee NOO-me-ro fo-RA-te?) — What size do you wear?
- Μπορώ να το δοκιμάσω; (bo-RO na to do-kee-MA-so?) — Can I try it on?
- Πού είναι τα δοκιμαστήρια; (POO EE-ne ta do-kee-ma-STEE-rya?) — Where are the fitting rooms?
- Μου κάνει. (moo KA-nee) — It fits me.
- Δεν μου κάνει. (den moo KA-nee) — It doesn't fit me.
- Έχετε μεγαλύτερο/μικρότερο νούμερο; (E-he-te me-ga-LEE-te-ro/mee-KRO-te-ro NOO-me-ro?) — Do you have a bigger/smaller size?
- Πόσο κοστίζει; (PO-so ko-STEE-zee?) — How much does it cost?
- Είναι σε έκπτωση; (EE-ne se EK-pto-see?) — Is it on sale?
- Τι θα φορέσεις απόψε; (tee tha fo-RE-sees a-PO-pse?) — What will you wear tonight?
- Αυτό σου πάει πολύ! (af-TO soo PA-ee po-LEE!) — That looks great on you!
Usage Notes
Understanding how Greek words for clothing work grammatically and culturally will help you use them correctly.
Gender and Articles: Greek nouns have grammatical gender. Most clothing items use the neuter article το (to), but some use feminine η (ee) or masculine ο (o). Always learn the article with the noun.
Plural Forms: Some clothing items are typically used in plural form, such as τα παπούτσια (shoes), οι κάλτσες (socks), and τα ρούχα (clothes).
The Verb "To Wear": The verb φοράω (fo-RA-o) means "to wear." It's used for all types of clothing and accessories. For example: Φοράω γυαλιά (I wear glasses), Φοράω παπούτσια (I wear shoes).
Diminutives: Greek often uses diminutive endings like -άκι (-aki) to indicate smaller sizes or informal versions. For example, μπλούζα becomes μπλουζάκι (t-shirt, literally "little blouse").
Borrowed Words: Many modern Greek words for clothing are borrowed from other languages. Words like το τζιν (jeans), το πουλόβερ (pullover), and το μπουφάν (from French "bouffant") are commonly used.
Shopping Culture: In Greek stores, it's common to ask permission before trying on clothes. Staff are usually helpful, and it's polite to say ευχαριστώ (thank you) when receiving assistance.
Practice Sentences
Use these example sentences to practice Greek words for clothing in context.
- Πρέπει να αγοράσω καινούρια ρούχα για το καλοκαίρι.
PRE-pee na a-go-RA-so ke-NOOR-ya ROO-ha ya to ka-lo-KE-ree.
I need to buy new clothes for summer. - Το μπλε πουκάμισο ταιριάζει με το μαύρο παντελόνι.
To ble poo-KA-mee-so te-ree-A-zee me to MAV-ro pan-de-LO-nee.
The blue shirt matches the black trousers. - Η μητέρα μου μου έδωσε αυτό το πουλόβερ.
Ee mee-TE-ra moo moo E-do-se af-TO to poo-LO-ver.
My mother gave me this sweater. - Φοράω πάντα άνετα παπούτσια όταν περπατάω πολύ.
Fo-RA-o PAN-da A-ne-ta pa-POO-tsya O-tan per-pa-TA-o po-LEE.
I always wear comfortable shoes when I walk a lot. - Αυτό το φόρεμα είναι τέλειο για το γάμο.
Af-TO to FO-re-ma EE-ne TE-leo ya to GA-mo.
This dress is perfect for the wedding. - Ξέχασα να πάρω το μπουφάν μου και κρύωσα.
KSE-ha-sa na PA-ro to boo-FAN moo ke KREE-o-sa.
I forgot to take my jacket and I got cold. - Τα παιδιά φοράνε σχολική στολή στην Ελλάδα.
Ta pe-DYA fo-RA-ne sho-lee-KEE sto-LEE steen e-LA-da.
Children wear school uniforms in Greece. - Πού μπορώ να βρω φθηνά ρούχα;
POO bo-RO na vro fthee-NA ROO-ha?
Where can I find cheap clothes?