This page lists 82 Greek words that start with S, from “sagapo” to “syntagma”. The words are written in Latin letters, so you can read and say them without knowing the Greek alphabet. They cover food, everyday objects, places, numbers, and feelings, and they help with travel, study, and daily conversation.
Greek words are the building blocks of a language that has been written for over 3,000 years and is spoken by about 13 million people today. Many English words come straight from Greek, including “school,” “sphere,” and “sarcasm.”
Below you’ll find the table with the word, English translation, part of speech, example usage, and description for each entry.
Word: The Greek term written in Latin letters, so you can see how it is spelled and sound it out easily.
English translation: The closest English meaning, so you can quickly check what each Greek word stands for and learn it faster.
Part of speech: Shows whether the word is a noun, verb, adjective, or another type, which helps you build correct sentences.
Example usage: A short Greek sentence with its English meaning, so you can see how the word works in real conversation.
Description: A brief note on how the word is used, where it comes from, or what it means in Greek culture.
Greek words
| Word | English translation | Part of speech | Example usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| sagapo | I love you (contraction of “se agapo”) | verb phrase | Sagapo poli. (I love you a lot.) |
| sakoula | bag, sack | noun | Pare mia sakoula. (Take a bag.) |
| sakos | jacket, blazer | noun | Forese to sako sou. (Put on your jacket.) |
| salata | salad | noun | Mia horiatiki salata, parakalo. (A village salad, please.) |
| saligkari | snail | noun | Ta saligkaria ine nostima. (The snails are tasty.) |
| salpinga | trumpet, fallopian tube | noun | O mousikos paizei salpinga. (The musician plays the trumpet.) |
| samatas | uproar, commotion | noun | Egine samatas sto dromo. (There was an uproar in the street.) |
| sandali | sandal | noun | Agorasa kainourgia sandalia. (I bought new sandals.) |
| sandouits | sandwich | noun | Thelo ena sandouits me tyri. (I want a cheese sandwich.) |
| sapouni | soap | noun | Plise ta heria me sapouni. (Wash your hands with soap.) |
| sarakosti | Lent | noun | Tin Sarakosti nistevoume. (We fast during Lent.) |
| saranta | forty | numeral | Eimai saranta chronon. (I am forty years old.) |
| sardella | sardine | noun | Skaria sardelles ine nostimes. (Grilled sardines are tasty.) |
| sarki | flesh | noun | Ine sarki apo sarki mou. (He is flesh of my flesh.) |
| sarkasmos | sarcasm | noun | Den katalaba ton sarkasmo tou. (I did not understand his sarcasm.) |
| sarkofagos | sarcophagus | noun | O sarkofagos itan apo marmaro. (The sarcophagus was made of marble.) |
| sarmades | stuffed vine leaves | noun | I giagia kanei sarmades. (Grandma makes stuffed vine leaves.) |
| sas | you (plural or formal) | pronoun | Sas efharisto poli. (Thank you very much.) |
| savvato | Saturday | noun | To savvato pame paralia. (On Saturday we go to the beach.) |
| savvatokyriako | weekend | noun | To savvatokyriako menoume spiti. (We stay home on the weekend.) |
| se | you (object), to, at | pronoun / preposition | Se thelo. (I want you.) |
| sebasmos | respect | noun | Echo sebasmo gia ton daskalo mou. (I have respect for my teacher.) |
| seirina | siren | noun | I seirina ichise stin poli. (The siren sounded in the city.) |
| seismos | earthquake | noun | Egine seismos stin Athina. (There was an earthquake in Athens.) |
| seira | row, series, order | noun | Stekomaste se seira. (We stand in line.) |
| sekreter | secretary | noun | I sekreter ine sto grafeio. (The secretary is in the office.) |
| selida | page | noun | Anoixe tin proti selida. (Open the first page.) |
| selini | moon | noun | I selini ine plires. (The moon is full.) |
| sentonia | bed sheets | noun | Allaxa ta sentonia. (I changed the sheets.) |
| sergiani | stroll, walk | noun | Pame gia sergiani stin plateia. (Let’s go for a stroll in the square.) |
| servitoros | waiter | noun | Fonaxe ton servitoro. (Call the waiter.) |
| sfaira | sphere, ball | noun | I sfaira ine stroggyli. (The sphere is round.) |
| sfagi | slaughter | noun | Egine sfagi sto polemo. (There was a slaughter in the war.) |
| sfakia | Sfakia | noun | Pigame sta Sfakia stin Kriti. (We went to Sfakia in Crete.) |
| sfigmos | pulse, heartbeat | noun | Elegxa ton sfigmo tou. (I checked his pulse.) |
| sfika | wasp | noun | Mia sfika me tsimpise. (A wasp stung me.) |
| sfinga | Sphinx | noun | I Sfinga itan terastio zoo. (The Sphinx was a monstrous creature.) |
| sfouggari | sponge | noun | Chrisimopoio sfouggari. (I use a sponge.) |
| sfyrida | hammer | noun | Pare ti sfyrida. (Take the hammer.) |
| sidera | iron (metal) | noun | To sidero ine varyi. (Iron is heavy.) |
| sidirodromos | railway | noun | O sidirodromos ftanei stin Thessaloniki. (The railway reaches Thessaloniki.) |
| sigma | sigma | noun | To sigma ine to gramma S. (Sigma is the letter S.) |
| signomi | sorry, excuse me | interjection | Signomi, pou ine to mousio? (Excuse me, where is the museum?) |
| sigouros | sure, safe | adjective | Eisai sigouros? (Are you sure?) |
| sikotakia | small figs | noun | Ta sikotakia ine glyka. (The little figs are sweet.) |
| sima | signal, sign | noun | Esteile sima voitheias. (He sent a distress signal.) |
| simera | today | adverb | Simera kanei zesti. (It is hot today.) |
| sinema | cinema | noun | Pame sto sinema. (Let’s go to the cinema.) |
| sirtaki | sirtaki | noun | Choreusame sirtaki sti taverna. (We danced sirtaki at the taverna.) |
| sitari | wheat | noun | To sitari ine vasiki trofi. (Wheat is a staple food.) |
| skala | stairs, ladder | noun | Anebaine ti skala. (He climbs the stairs.) |
| skandalo | scandal | noun | Ine megalo skandalo. (It is a big scandal.) |
| skafos | boat, hull | noun | To skafos ine ksylino. (The hull is wooden.) |
| skepsi | thought | noun | Eimai vathia se skepsi. (I am deep in thought.) |
| skiouros | squirrel | noun | Ena skiouro treche sto dasos. (A squirrel ran in the forest.) |
| sklavos | slave | noun | O sklavos doulevei. (The slave works.) |
| skolio | school | noun | To skolio arxizei to Septemvri. (School starts in September.) |
| skorpios | scorpion, Scorpio | noun | O skorpios ine eparos zoo. (The scorpion is a venomous creature.) |
| skylos | dog | noun | O skylos ine fylakas. (The dog is a guard.) |
| smaragdi | emerald | noun | To smaragdi ine prasino. (The emerald is green.) |
| smyrna | Smyrna | noun | I Smyrni itan megali poli. (Smyrna was a great city.) |
| sofia | wisdom | noun | I sofia ine thisavros. (Wisdom is a treasure.) |
| sofos | wise | adjective | O sofos gerontas. (The wise old man.) |
| souvlaki | souvlaki | noun | Thelo ena souvlaki me pita. (I want a souvlaki in pita.) |
| spanakopita | spinach pie | noun | I spanakopita ine nostimi. (The spinach pie is delicious.) |
| spiti | house, home | noun | Pao spiti. (I am going home.) |
| spitiko | homemade | adjective | Ine spitiko krasi. (It is homemade wine.) |
| spiros | Spyros (name) | noun | O Spiros ine filos mou. (Spyros is my friend.) |
| sporos | seed | noun | Ena sporo vgike. (A seed sprouted.) |
| stafylia | grapes | noun | Ta stafylia ine glyka. (The grapes are sweet.) |
| stasi | stop, attitude | noun | I stasi ine edo. (The stop is here.) |
| stathmos | station | noun | O stathmos ine konta. (The station is near.) |
| stavros | cross | noun | Ekane ton stavro tou. (He made the sign of the cross.) |
| steki | hangout | noun | Pame sto steki mas. (Let’s go to our hangout.) |
| stifado | stifado | noun | Ekana stifado me kounelli. (I made rabbit stifado.) |
| stin ygeia sou | cheers, to your health | phrase | Stin ygeia sou! (To your health!) |
| stylos | pen, pillar | noun | Dose mou ena stylo. (Give me a pen.) |
| syko | fig | noun | Efaga ena syko. (I ate a fig.) |
| symposio | symposium, party | noun | To symposio ksekinise. (The symposium began.) |
| synergasia | cooperation | noun | Xreiazomaste synergasia. (We need cooperation.) |
| syntagi | recipe, prescription | noun | Dose mou ti syntagi. (Give me the recipe.) |
| syntagma | constitution, Syntagma | noun | Sinantithikame stin plateia Syntagmatos. (We met at Syntagma Square.) |
Descriptions
sagapo
A common spoken contraction of “se agapo.” Greeks use it for romantic partners, family, and close friends.
sakoula
The everyday word for a plastic or paper bag, and also for a larger sack. You will hear it at every market and supermarket checkout.
sakos
The word for a suit jacket or blazer. It comes from the Italian “sacco” and is common in clothing shops.
salata
Salad in general. The best known is horiatiki, made with tomato, cucumber, olives, onion, and feta.
saligkari
The Greek word for snail. Cooked snails are a traditional dish in Crete, often prepared with rosemary or tomato.
salpinga
Used for the trumpet and for any horn-like instrument. In anatomy it also names the fallopian tubes.
samatas
A lively word for a loud, chaotic scene. It describes noisy crowds, parties, or arguments.
sandali
A light open shoe worn in summer. The English word “sandal” itself comes from Greek.
sandouits
A loan word from English. Greeks also use it for toasted sandwiches sold at bakeries and kiosks.
sapouni
Soap for washing. Olive oil soap from Greece is well known for being gentle on skin.
sarakosti
The 40-day fasting period before Orthodox Easter. Many Greeks still follow a meat-free diet during this time.
saranta
The number 40. It appears in many Greek traditions, including Lent and memorial services.
sardella
A small oily fish found across the Mediterranean. It is a popular grilled meze, especially around the Aegean.
sarki
The word for human or animal flesh. It also appears in religious and poetic language.
sarkasmos
A biting or ironic remark. The word comes from Greek “sarkazein,” meaning to tear flesh.
sarkofagos
A stone coffin from ancient times. The Greek roots mean “flesh-eating,” from the belief that the stone consumed the body.
sarmades
Rolled grape leaves filled with rice and herbs. In northern Greece they often include minced meat.
sas
The polite or plural form of “you” in object or possessive use. It is used with elders and strangers.
savvato
The day of the week between Friday and Sunday. It comes from the Hebrew word “Sabbath.”
savvatokyriako
A compound word joining “savvato” (Saturday) and “kyriaki” (Sunday). It means the weekend.
se
A tiny but common word. As a pronoun it means “you” and as a preposition it means “to,” “in,” or “at.”
sebasmos
A deep regard for a person or idea. Respect for elders is a core value in Greek culture.
seirina
An alarm signal. It also recalls the mythical Sirens who lured sailors with their song.
seismos
A shaking of the ground. Greece is one of Europe’s most seismically active countries, and the English word “seismic” comes from this term.
seira
A line or sequence of things or people. It also means turn, as in “ine i seira mou” (it is my turn).
sekreter
A borrowed word for an office assistant. Greek also has “grammateas.”
selida
A page of a book or website. It also means a webpage in modern use.
selini
The Greek name of the moon. The goddess Selene personified it in ancient myth.
sentonia
Linen bedding used on a bed. It comes from the Italian “sinton.”
sergiani
A leisurely walk, usually in the evening. It captures the relaxed Greek habit of the volta.
servitoros
A man who serves in a restaurant or cafe. The feminine form is “servitora.”
sfaira
The Greek root of the English word “sphere.” It names a ball or globe.
sfagi
A word for killing on a large scale. It is also used for the traditional Easter lamb slaughter.
sfakia
A rugged region in southwestern Crete known for its gorges and proud independent history. Sfakian pies are a local favorite.
sfigmos
The beat of the heart. The English word “sphygmomanometer” comes from this root.
sfika
The Greek word for wasp. Greek summers bring plenty of them around outdoor tables.
sfinga
The mythical creature with a lion’s body and human head. In Greek myth it posed a riddle to travelers near Thebes.
sfouggari
A natural or synthetic sponge. Kalymnos is famous for its traditional sponge diving.
sfyrida
The common tool for driving nails. The word is the same for a small hammer or a mallet.
sidera
The metal iron. The Iron Age takes its name from this word in Greek as “Epochi tou Sideroy.”
sidirodromos
The railway system, joining “sidero” (iron) and “dromos” (road). Trains link Athens with the north.
sigma
The eighteenth letter of the Greek alphabet. It has a special form, final sigma, used at the end of words.
signomi
The standard way to apologize or get someone’s attention. It literally means “forgiveness.”
sigouros
Describes something certain or free of danger. Both meanings come up in everyday conversation.
sikotakia
A diminutive of “syko,” the fig. Figs are an ancient Greek crop and a favorite summer fruit.
sima
A sign or signal of any kind. In ancient Greek it also meant a tomb marker.
simera
One of the first words learners pick up. It is used for the current day.
sinema
A movie theater. Open-air summer cinemas are a beloved part of Greek life.
sirtaki
A dance made famous by the 1964 film Zorba the Greek. It was created for the movie by blending slow and fast folk steps.
sitari
The grain used for bread and pasta. Greek farmland has grown wheat since antiquity.
skala
Steps or a ladder. It also names the port area of many island towns, as in “skala.”
skandalo
A shocking public event. The word comes from the Greek “skandalon,” meaning a stumbling block.
skafos
The body of a ship. It can also mean a small boat or a bowl-shaped object.
skepsi
The act or result of thinking. It is a basic word in philosophical talk.
skiouros
The Greek word for a squirrel. It literally means “shadow tail,” from the old Greek words for shade and tail.
sklavos
A person forced into labor. It is also used figuratively for being a slave to habit.
skolio
A place for teaching children. The English word “school” itself comes from Greek “scholē,” meaning leisure.
skorpios
The arachnid, and also the zodiac sign. Skorpios is also a private island in the Ionian Sea.
skylos
The standard word for a dog. The English word “cynic” instead comes from “kyon.”
smaragdi
A green gemstone. The word comes from ancient Greek “smaragdos.”
smyrna
The historic Greek name of present-day Izmir in Turkey. It was home to a large Greek community until 1922.
sofia
Deep knowledge and sound judgment. It is also a popular girl’s name and gives philosophy its “love of wisdom” meaning.
sofos
Describes someone with wisdom. The Seven Sages of ancient Greece were all called “sofoi.”
souvlaki
Grilled meat on a skewer, often pork or chicken, served with tzatziki and fries. It is the best-known Greek street food.
spanakopita
A pie of flaky phyllo filled with spinach and feta. Bakeries across Greece sell it for breakfast or snacks.
spiti
The most common word for a house or home. It comes from the Latin “hospitium.”
spitiko
Describes food or drink made at home. On a menu it signals traditional cooking.
spiros
A very common Greek male name. It honors Saint Spyridon, patron of Corfu.
sporos
The seed of a plant. It is the root of the English word “spore.”
stafylia
The fruit of the vine. Greece has made wine from grapes for over 6,000 years.
stasi
Used for a bus or metro stop. It also means a person’s attitude or stance.
stathmos
A place where trains or buses stop. Also used for a radio or police station.
stavros
The Christian cross. Stavros is also a common male name.
steki
A favorite place where friends meet. It is often a cafe or taverna.
stifado
A slow-cooked stew of meat and small onions with wine and spices. Beef and rabbit are the classic choices.
stin ygeia sou
The standard toast, used with a glass raised. Variations include “yamas” for a group.
stylos
A pen or writing tool. In its other meaning it is a pillar or column, as in ancient temples.
syko
A fresh or dried fig. Figs were prized in antiquity, and the Greek word underlies “sycamore.”
symposio
A gathering. In ancient Greece it meant a drinking party with conversation and music. Today it means a conference.
synergasia
Working together toward a goal. It comes from “syn” (with) and “ergo” (work).
syntagi
A recipe in cooking, and a prescription at the doctor. It also names a constitution.
syntagma
A constitution or code of law. Syntagma Square in Athens faces the Parliament and is a central meeting point.