This page lists 60 Greek words that start with B, from “Babas” to “Bebaios”. The list mixes everyday modern words, such as foods, clothes, and household items, with ancient Greek terms that gave English many of its words. You can use it to build your vocabulary, read a taverna menu with confidence, or see where English words like “Bible” and “bacterium” come from.
Greek words are the vocabulary of one of the oldest written languages in Europe, spoken for more than 3,000 years. Ancient Greek still shapes science, medicine, and everyday English. For example, “Biblion” (book) is the root of “Bible” and “bibliography.”
Below you’ll find the table with the word, English translation, part of speech, example usage, and description for each entry.
Word: the Greek word written in Latin letters, so you can read it and say it aloud even if you don’t know the Greek alphabet.
English translation: the closest English meaning of the word, so you can quickly see what each entry means and learn it fast.
Part of speech: whether the word is a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, or interjection, which helps you see how to use it in a sentence.
Example usage: a short Greek sentence in Latin letters with its English translation, showing you how people use the word in real conversation.
Description: a brief note on what the word means, where it comes from, and how Greeks use it today or used it in ancient times.
Greek words
| Word | English translation | Part of speech | Example usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babas | dad | noun | O babas mou doulevei sto limani. (“My dad works at the port.”) |
| Bakaliaros | cod | noun | O bakaliaros me skordalia einai to piato tis 25is Martiou. (“Cod with garlic sauce is the dish for March 25.”) |
| Bakaliko | grocery store | noun | Pigaino sto bakaliko gia psomi. (“I’m going to the grocery store for bread.”) |
| Bakalis | grocer | noun | O bakalis mas kseri ola ta nea tis geitonias. (“Our grocer knows all the neighborhood news.”) |
| Baklavas | baklava | noun | Ton baklava ton ftiaxnoun me fylo kai fistikia. (“Baklava is made with phyllo and pistachios.”) |
| Balkoni | balcony | noun | Kathomaste sto balkoni kai pinoume kafe. (“We sit on the balcony and drink coffee.”) |
| Bamies | okra | noun | I mama exei ftiaxei bamies ladera. (“Mom has made okra braised in olive oil.”) |
| Bambaki | cotton | noun | To bambaki einai idanikο gia to kalokairi. (“Cotton is ideal for summer.”) |
| Banana | banana | noun | Thelo mia banana gia proino. (“I want a banana for breakfast.”) |
| Banio | bath, swim | noun | Pame gia banio sti thalassa. (“Let’s go for a swim in the sea.”) |
| Bar | bar | noun | Tha vgoume se ena bar sto Kolonaki. (“We’ll go out to a bar in Kolonaki.”) |
| Barbas | uncle, older man | noun | O barbas mou o Giannis menei sto chorio. (“My uncle Giannis lives in the village.”) |
| Barbounia | red mullet | noun | Ta barbounia tiganita einai poly nostima. (“Fried red mullet is very tasty.”) |
| Barouti | gunpowder | noun | Mirize barouti ston aera. (“There was a smell of gunpowder in the air.”) |
| Batsos | cop (slang) | noun | Eida enan batso sti gonia. (“I saw a cop on the corner.”) |
| Bekris | drunkard | noun | O bekris kathotan stin taverna ola ta vradia. (“The drunkard sat in the tavern all night.”) |
| Bekri Meze | drunkard’s meze (pork stew) | noun | Sto Peiraia efagame bekri meze. (“In Piraeus we ate bekri meze.”) |
| Belas | trouble, nuisance | noun | Mpikame se ena megalo belas. (“We got into a big mess.”) |
| Bifteki | burger patty | noun | Ena bifteki me patates, parakalo. (“A burger patty with fries, please.”) |
| Blé | blue | adjective | To spiti exei ble pantzouria. (“The house has blue shutters.”) |
| Bluza | blouse, top | noun | Efiaxa mia kainouria bluza. (“I bought a new top.”) |
| Bomba | bomb | noun | I bomba ekrage stis tria. (“The bomb exploded at three.”) |
| Bomboniera | wedding favor | noun | Edwsa bomboniera stous kalesmenous. (“I gave favors to the guests.”) |
| Bota | boot | noun | Phorese ta botes gia to chioni. (“Wear boots for the snow.”) |
| Boufan | puffer jacket | noun | Pare to boufan, kanei krio. (“Take the jacket, it’s cold.”) |
| Bougatsa | bougatsa | noun | Tha paro bougatsa me krema. (“I’ll have a custard bougatsa.”) |
| Boukali | bottle | noun | Ena boukali nero, parakalo. (“A bottle of water, please.”) |
| Boukamvilia | bougainvillea | noun | I boukamvilia stoli to chorio. (“The bougainvillea decorates the village.”) |
| Boukia | mouthful, bite | noun | Fae mia boukia akoma. (“Eat one more bite.”) |
| Bourekia | small pies | noun | Ta bourekia me tyri einai kalitera zesta. (“Cheese pies are best warm.”) |
| Bouzouki | bouzouki | noun | O mousikos paizei bouzouki. (“The musician plays the bouzouki.”) |
| Boyia | paint, polish | noun | Chreiazomaste boyia gia ton toicho. (“We need paint for the wall.”) |
| Boyatzis | painter | noun | Ekalesa enan boyatzi na vapsei to spiti. (“I called a painter to paint the house.”) |
| Bravo | well done | interjection | Bravo, to epetyches! (“Well done, you made it!”) |
| Briam | briam | noun | To briam einai ena nostimo piato me lachanika. (“Briam is a tasty vegetable dish.”) |
| Briki | coffee pot | noun | Vale kafe sto briki. (“Put the coffee in the pot.”) |
| Brizola | steak, chop | noun | Mia brizola choirini me patates. (“A pork chop with potatoes.”) |
| Brosta | in front, ahead | adverb | Kane brosta, einai adeia. (“Move forward, it’s empty.”) |
| Bufes | buffet | noun | To proino einai bufes. (“Breakfast is a buffet.”) |
| Basileus | king | noun | O basileus archise ton polemo. (“The king began the war.”) |
| Barbaros | foreigner, non-Greek speaker | noun | Oi Ellines eipan barbaros ton xeno. (“The Greeks called a foreigner a barbarian.”) |
| Bios | life | noun | O bios tou itan makros. (“His life was long.”) |
| Bema | step, platform | noun | O ritoras anebike sto bema. (“The speaker climbed the platform.”) |
| Biblion | book | noun | Egrapse ena biblion gia ton polemo. (“He wrote a book about the war.”) |
| Bibliotheke | library | noun | I bibliotheke tis Alexandreias itan megali. (“The library of Alexandria was great.”) |
| Basis | foundation, base | noun | I basis tou ktiriou einai mármaro. (“The base of the building is marble.”) |
| Bathos | depth | noun | To bathos tis thalassas einai megalo. (“The depth of the sea is great.”) |
| Bathys | deep | adjective | Ena bathys pelagos. (“A deep sea.”) |
| Boule | council | noun | I boule ton pentakosion. (“The Council of Five Hundred.”) |
| Bous | ox, cow | noun | O bous aroi ton agro. (“The ox ploughs the field.”) |
| Bradys | slow | adjective | O bradys vadizei. (“The slow man walks.”) |
| Bronte | thunder | noun | Akousa ti bronte. (“I heard the thunder.”) |
| Bronchos | windpipe | noun | O bronchos einai o aeragogos. (“The windpipe is the air duct.”) |
| Bakterion | small staff, rod | noun | Eixe ena bakterion sto cheri. (“He held a small staff in his hand.”) |
| Baptizo | to dip, to baptize | verb | Baptizo to himation sto nero. (“I dip the cloth in the water.”) |
| Ballo | to throw | verb | Ballo ton lithon. (“I throw the stone.”) |
| Baino | to walk, to go | verb | Baino stin agora. (“I walk into the market.”) |
| Basanos | touchstone, test | noun | I basanos tou chrysou. (“The touchstone of gold.”) |
| Bomos | altar | noun | Thysiazan ston bomo. (“They sacrificed at the altar.”) |
| Bebaios | certain, firm | adjective | Einai bebaios gia ti nike. (“He is certain of victory.”) |
Descriptions
Babas
The everyday Greek word for father (μπαμπάς). It is the affectionate, informal term children use, much like “dad” or “daddy” in English.
Bakaliaros
Salted or fresh cod, a staple of Greek cooking. Fried cod with skordalia is the traditional meal for Greek Independence Day.
Bakaliko
A small neighborhood grocery shop. The word comes from Turkish and is still used for corner stores selling everyday staples.
Bakalis
The person who runs the local grocery shop. In Greek towns the bakalis is often a familiar, chatty figure.
Baklavas
A sweet pastry of layered phyllo, chopped nuts, and syrup or honey. It is one of the best-known desserts in Greece and across the eastern Mediterranean.
Balkoni
The Greek word for a balcony, borrowed from Italian. Balconies are a big part of Greek apartment life, especially in summer.
Bamies
Okra pods, usually cooked in a tomato and olive oil stew. Bamies is a classic summer dish in Greek homes.
Bambaki
The Greek word for cotton, used for both the plant and the fabric. It also appears in the phrase “bambaki” for cotton wool.
Banana
The fruit, borrowed into Greek along with its English-sounding name. It is among the most common fruits in Greek households.
Banio
Means both a bath and a swim. Greeks use “kano banio” to talk about a dip in the sea, which is a daily summer habit.
Bar
A drinking venue, borrowed directly from English. Greek bars often double as cafes during the day.
Barbas
A familiar word for an uncle or any friendly older man. It is also used in the phrase “barba-Giannis” as a respectful, affectionate title.
Barbounia
Small, reddish Mediterranean fish prized in Greek tavernas. They are usually fried whole and served with lemon.
Barouti
Greek for gunpowder, used literally and figuratively. It shows up in expressions about tense or explosive situations.
Batsos
A slang, often disrespectful word for a police officer. It is common in casual speech and in news about protests.
Bekris
A heavy drinker, often with a hint of old-fashioned charm. It also gives the name to rebetiko songs and “bekri meze”.
Bekri Meze
A Greek stew of pork pieces in a tomato and wine sauce. The name refers to the snacks eaten with drinks.
Belas
Describes trouble or a person who is a pain. The word was borrowed from Turkish and is common in everyday Greek.
Bifteki
A grilled minced-meat patty, sometimes stuffed with cheese. It is a classic taverna and souvlaki-shop order.
Blé
The Greek word for blue (μπλε), borrowed from French. It is unchanging and does not take endings.
Bluza
A light shirt or blouse. The word is used for any casual top, from T-shirts to dressy tops.
Bomba
Literally a bomb, but also slang for something amazing, like a “bomb” of a party or a great deal.
Bomboniera
A small gift, often with sugared almonds, handed to guests at weddings and baptisms in Greece.
Bota
A boot, borrowed from French. Greeks use the plural “botes” for a pair.
Boufan
A padded winter jacket. The word comes from French and is widely used for any warm coat.
Bougatsa
A breakfast pastry of phyllo filled with custard, cheese, or minced meat. It is especially associated with Thessaloniki.
Boukali
The usual word for a bottle. It comes from Italian and works for water, wine, or any container of that shape.
Boukamvilia
A bright, vine-like flowering plant seen climbing walls across Greek islands. It is a symbol of the Greek summer.
Boukia
A mouthful of food or a short bite. “Mia boukia psomi” means a morsel of bread, and it is also used for a cheap price.
Bourekia
Small baked or fried pies filled with cheese, meat, or greens. They are a snack and a classic meze dish.
Bouzouki
A long-necked, string instrument central to Greek folk and rebetiko music. Its bright, metallic sound defines “Zorba” style tunes.
Boyia
Paint or dye, and also shoe polish. It appears in sayings like “bogia” for cover-ups.
Boyatzis
A house painter or decorator. It is a typical trade in Greek neighborhoods.
Bravo
A cheer for praise, borrowed from Italian. Greeks use it for both encouragement and for sarcasm.
Briam
A baked Greek dish of potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes, and olive oil. It is a staple of summer meals and vegetarian menus.
Briki
The small, long-handled pot used to make Greek coffee. It lends the coffee-making method its character.
Brizola
A cut of meat such as a pork or beef chop, often grilled. It is a common main course in Greek tavernas.
Brosta
Means in front, or forward. It is used for directions and for the idea of moving ahead in life.
Bufes
A buffet meal or a sideboard cabinet. Hotels in Greece typically serve breakfast as a bufes.
Basileus
The ancient Greek word for king or ruler. Its modern form is “vasilias”, and the term appears in the name of “basil” and “basilica”.
Barbaros
In ancient Greek, anyone who did not speak Greek, said to mimic “bar-bar” sounds. This is the root of the English word “barbarian”.
Bios
The ancient Greek word for the course of a life. It gives English words such as “biography” and “biology”.
Bema
A step or a raised speaking platform in ancient Greek. It was used in the Athenian assembly and later for church altars.
Biblion
The ancient word for a small scroll or book. It is the origin of “Bible” and “bibliography”.
Bibliotheke
Literally a book repository. The word is the root of the English “bibliothèque” and the modern Greek “vivliothiki”.
Basis
The ancient word for a step or base. It gives English “base”, “basis”, and “basic”.
Bathos
Means depth in ancient Greek. It gives English words like “bathysphere” and “bathos”.
Bathys
The ancient adjective for deep or profound. It appears in the English “bathyscaphe” and in the modern Greek “vathys”.
Boule
The ancient Greek assembly or council that ran daily affairs in Athens. The modern Greek parliament is called “Vouli”.
Bous
The ancient word for an ox or cattle. It is the root of “Bosphorus” (the ford of the ox) and of English words like “bucolic”.
Bradys
Ancient adjective meaning slow. It gives English words such as “bradycardia”, a slow heartbeat.
Bronte
The ancient Greek word for thunder. It lives on in the name of the Cyclops Brontes, “the thunderer”.
Bronchos
The ancient term for the throat or windpipe. It gives English “bronchial” and “bronchitis”.
Bakterion
A little walking stick in ancient Greek. Scientists later used it as the root of “bacterium” because of rod-shaped cells.
Baptizo
Originally meant to dip or immerse something. It became the root of English “baptize” and “baptism”.
Ballo
The ancient verb meaning to throw or put. It gives English words like “ballistic”, “symbol”, and “problem”.
Baino
An ancient verb for walking or stepping. It is the root of English words such as “acrobat” and “basis”.
Basanos
A stone used to test the purity of gold, and later any test or trial. It means a rigorous check of quality.
Bomos
An ancient altar for offerings to the gods. Many Greek temples had a bomos in front.
Bebaios
Ancient adjective meaning firm, steady, or certain. Its modern form “vevaios” is common in everyday Greek.