This page lists 76 Greek words that start with Z, from “Zakhari” to “Zakynthos”. The list covers everyday nouns, a few verbs and adjectives, and some borrowed or ancient terms. You will find words for food and baking, animals, dance, science and mythology. Use it to build your vocabulary, check a spelling, or find the Greek behind an English word.
Greek words are the terms used in the Greek language, which has been written and spoken for more than 3,000 years. Many of them live on in English, and “zoe” (life) is the root of “zoology” and “zoetrope”.
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 read it, say it and search for it without knowing the Greek alphabet.
English translation: The closest English meaning, so you can quickly see what each Greek word stands for and match it to words you already know.
Part of speech: Shows whether the word is a noun, verb or adjective, which helps you understand how it works in a sentence.
Example usage: A short sentence in Greek with its English meaning, so you can see how the word fits into real speech.
Description: A brief note on what the word means, where it comes from, and when Greek speakers use it in daily life.
Greek words
| Word | English translation | Part of speech | Example usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zakhari | Sugar | Noun | Thelo zakhari ston kafe. (I want sugar in my coffee.) |
| Zakharoplastio | Pastry shop | Noun | Pame sto zakharoplastio. (Let’s go to the pastry shop.) |
| Zakharoplastis | Pastry chef | Noun | O zakharoplastis ekane tin tourta. (The pastry chef made the cake.) |
| Zali | Dizziness | Noun | Eniotha zali. (I felt dizzy.) |
| Zalismenos | Dizzy or confused | Adjective | Eimai zalismenos simera. (I am dizzy today.) |
| Zari | Die (dice) | Noun | Rixe to zari. (Roll the die.) |
| Zaria | Dice | Noun | Pexame zaria. (We played dice.) |
| Zarkadi | Roe deer | Noun | Eida ena zarkadi sto vouno. (I saw a roe deer on the mountain.) |
| Zatrikio | Chess (old word) | Noun | To zatrikio ine archaio paixnidi. (Chess is an ancient game.) |
| Zavolia | Mischief or trouble | Noun | Ekane polles zavolies. (He caused a lot of mischief.) |
| Zebra | Zebra | Noun | I zebra ine mavro-aspro. (The zebra is black and white.) |
| Zeibekiko | Zeibekiko (a Greek dance) | Noun | Chorepse ena zeibekiko. (Dance a zeibekiko.) |
| Zelatina | Gelatin | Noun | I zelatina vazei to gliko. (The gelatin sets the dessert.) |
| Zele | Jelly | Noun | Ethrepsa zele fraoula. (I ate strawberry jelly.) |
| Zelos | Zeal or jealousy | Noun | Douleve me zelo. (He worked with zeal.) |
| Zemia | Damage or loss | Noun | I zemia ine megali. (The damage is large.) |
| Zemiaris | Harmful | Adjective | To kapnisma ine zemiaro. (Smoking is harmful.) |
| Zeppelin | Zeppelin | Noun | Ena zeppelin ptise pano apo tin poli. (A zeppelin flew over the city.) |
| Zesti | Heat or warmth | Noun | Poli zesti simera. (It is very hot today.) |
| Zestos | Hot | Adjective | Ine zestos o kafes. (The coffee is hot.) |
| Zestaino | To heat or warm up | Verb | Zestaino to fagito. (I am warming up the food.) |
| Zeuge | Pair (of animals) | Noun | Ena zeuge voidia arotriase to chorafi. (A pair of oxen plowed the field.) |
| Zeugari | Couple or pair | Noun | Ena omorfo zeugari. (A lovely couple.) |
| Zeugma | Zeugma (a link or bridge) | Noun | Ine zeugma stin grammatiki. (It is a zeugma in grammar.) |
| Zeus | Zeus (king of the gods) | Noun | O Zeus ine o theos tou keraunou. (Zeus is the god of thunder.) |
| Zephyros | Zephyr or west wind | Noun | O zephyros fysa apo ti thalassa. (The west wind blew from the sea.) |
| Zeta | Zeta (the letter Z) | Noun | To zeta ine to ekto gramma. (Zeta is the sixth letter.) |
| Zetao | To ask or request | Verb | Zeto syghnomi. (I ask for forgiveness.) |
| Zetima | Issue or question | Noun | Ine zetima khronou. (It is a matter of time.) |
| Zetiakos | Beggar | Noun | O zetiakos zitouse psila. (The beggar asked for coins.) |
| Zetisi | Search or request | Noun | I zetisi tou telefonou ine megali. (The demand for the phone is high.) |
| Zetō | I seek | Verb | Zeto voitheia. (I am asking for help.) |
| Zeumi | Broth or soup liquid | Noun | To zoumi ine zesto. (The broth is hot.) |
| Zeuktiki | Yoking or joining | Adjective | I zeuktiki skepsi tou arthrou. (The joining logic of the article.) |
| Zimi | Dough or yeast | Noun | I zimi anevainei. (The dough is rising.) |
| Zimari | Dough | Noun | Ftiakse zimari gia tin pita. (Make dough for the pie.) |
| Zimarika | Pasta | Noun | Ta zimarika ine kaloi. (The pasta is good.) |
| Zimosi | Fermentation | Noun | I zimosi paragei to krasi. (Fermentation produces wine.) |
| Zimoma | Dough or ferment | Noun | To zimoma xekinise. (The dough has started to ferment.) |
| Zitho | Ancient beer | Noun | O zitho ine archaia mpira. (Zythos is ancient beer.) |
| Ziziani | Weed | Noun | Ekopsa ta ziziania apo ton kipo. (I cut the weeds from the garden.) |
| Zoe | Life | Noun | I zoe ine omorfi. (Life is beautiful.) |
| Zoi | Life | Noun | Zoi sou anthizei. (May your life flourish.) |
| Zografos | Painter | Noun | O zografos zografise ena portraito. (The painter painted a portrait.) |
| Zografiki | Painting (art) | Noun | I zografiki ine technh. (Painting is an art.) |
| Zografizo | To paint | Verb | Zografizo ena dentro. (I am painting a tree.) |
| Zodio | Zodiac sign | Noun | Poio ine to zodio sou; (What is your zodiac sign?) |
| Zodiakos | Zodiac | Noun | O zodiakos echei dodeka zodia. (The zodiac has twelve signs.) |
| Zoo | Animal | Noun | To zoo ine mikro. (The animal is small.) |
| Zoon | Living being | Noun | To zoon politikon ine o anthropos. (Man is a political animal.) |
| Zoon Politikon | Political animal | Noun | O Aristotelis eipe zoon politikon. (Aristotle said zoon politikon.) |
| Zoologia | Zoology | Noun | Spoudazo zoologia. (I study zoology.) |
| Zoofilia | Love of animals | Noun | I zoofilia ine kali. (A love of animals is good.) |
| Zoophyto | Zoophyte | Noun | To zoophyto ine thalassio zoo. (A zoophyte is a sea animal.) |
| Zonaro | Zonaras (a belt maker) | Noun | O zonaras ftiaxnei zones. (The belt maker makes belts.) |
| Zoni | Belt or zone | Noun | Forese ti zoni sou. (Put on your belt.) |
| Zombie | Zombie | Noun | I tainia echei zombie. (The film has zombies.) |
| Zorba | Zorba | Noun | O Zorbas chorepsé sirtaki. (Zorba danced sirtaki.) |
| Zorbas | Zorba (a free spirit) | Noun | Ine enas Zorbas. (He is a Zorba.) |
| Zouzouni | Little insect or tiny thing | Noun | Ena zouzouni ston kipo. (A little bug in the garden.) |
| Zoumi | Broth | Noun | Ekana zoumi kotopoulo. (I made chicken broth.) |
| Zougla | Jungle | Noun | I zougla ine megali. (The jungle is large.) |
| Zorizo | To struggle | Verb | Zorizo na ftaso stin ora. (I struggle to arrive on time.) |
| Zoros | Hardship or force | Noun | Me poly zoro. (With great effort.) |
| Zorbalikia | Violence or bullying | Noun | Den anechomai ti zorbalikia. (I won’t tolerate bullying.) |
| Zografia | Painting (artwork) | Noun | Aftí i zografia ine omorfi. (This painting is beautiful.) |
| Zygos | Yoke or balance | Noun | O zygos ton voidion. (The oxen’s yoke.) |
| Zygaria | Scales | Noun | Zygise to stin zygaria. (Weigh it on the scales.) |
| Zygizo | To weigh | Verb | Zygizo ta frouta. (I am weighing the fruits.) |
| Zygotis | Zygote | Noun | O zygotis archizei na chorizetai. (The zygote begins to divide.) |
| Zyme | Yeast | Noun | Valte zyme sto psomi. (Put yeast in the bread.) |
| Zymi | Dough | Noun | Zymise ti zymi. (Knead the dough.) |
| Zoogonia | Animal breeding | Noun | I zoogonia ine kladi tis kteniatrikis. (Animal breeding is a branch of veterinary science.) |
| Zoofytiko | Animal and plant | Adjective | To zoofytiko vasileio. (The animal and plant kingdom.) |
| Zoharos | Zocharos (a name) | Noun | Ine o Zocharos. (He is Zacharias.) |
| Zakynthos | Zakynthos (Zante) | Noun | Pame stin Zakyntho. (We are going to Zakynthos.) |
Descriptions
Zakhari
The everyday Modern Greek word for sugar. It also forms many sweet-related words, such as zakharoplastio, the pastry shop.
Zakharoplastio
A Greek confectionery where you buy cakes, syrupy desserts and cookies. It is a common stop for gifts and for Sunday family treats.
Zakharoplastis
A person who makes cakes, sweets and desserts professionally. The word combines zakhari (sugar) with a root meaning to shape or mold.
Zali
The sensation of spinning or losing balance. It is used for everything from mild light-headedness to a bout of vertigo.
Zalismenos
Describes someone who feels lightheaded, bewildered or mentally scattered. Greeks also use it for being flustered by too much happening at once.
Zari
A single die used in board games and games of chance. The plural, zaria, is also the word for the backgammon-style games Greeks play at cafes.
Zaria
The plural of zari, used for dice and for games played with them. Tavli, the Greek form of backgammon, is nearly always played with zaria.
Zarkadi
A small, graceful deer found in Greek forests. The word is also used as a pet name for something delicate and lovely.
Zatrikio
An older Greek word for chess, now mostly replaced by skakiera and skaki. It traces back through Persian and Arabic to the game’s origins.
Zavolia
A casual word for pranks, bad behavior or a mess. Parents often use it when talking about energetic children.
Zebra
The Greek name for the striped African animal, borrowed from other European languages. It also means a pedestrian crossing in everyday speech, because of the painted stripes.
Zeibekiko
A slow, improvised solo dance in 9/4 time, tied to rebetiko music. It is danced by one person at a time, and the crowd gives them space.
Zelatina
The protein-based setting agent used in jellies, mousses and some candies. It comes into Greek from the Italian gelatina.
Zele
A soft, wobbly dessert, or fruit jelly spread. The word was borrowed from French and is used in both senses.
Zelos
An ancient Greek word that gave English zeal and zealous. It can mean eager devotion or rivalry, depending on context.
Zemia
Used for physical damage, financial loss or a harmful setback. It appears often in insurance, repair and legal contexts.
Zemiaris
Describes anything that causes damage or harm. It is common in health warnings and consumer advice.
Zeppelin
The rigid airship named after Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin. Greek uses the word as a direct borrowing.
Zesti
The noun for heat, widely used in summer small talk. Greek weather forecasts talk about it constantly in July and August.
Zestos
The basic adjective for hot temperatures, for food, weather and drinks. Its feminine and neuter forms are zesti and zesto.
Zestaino
The standard verb for heating something. It is also used figuratively for warming up an audience or a mood.
Zeuge
An old rural term for a matched pair, especially draft animals. Related to zygos (yoke).
Zeugari
The everyday word for two things or people together. It is used for married couples, dance partners and matching socks.
Zeugma
A Greek word meaning a yoke or bond. In rhetoric it refers to one word that governs two or more others, and it is also the name of an ancient city on the Euphrates.
Zeus
The chief god of the ancient Greek pantheon, ruler of Mount Olympus. His name survives in Greek as Dias and in many English words through its root.
Zephyros
The ancient personification of the gentle west wind. English zephyr still means a soft breeze.
Zeta
The sixth letter of the Greek alphabet, written ζ. It stood for a sound like zd or dz in ancient Greek and a plain z in Modern Greek.
Zetao
The Greek verb for requesting, demanding or seeking something. It is one of the most common verbs in formal and informal speech.
Zetima
A topic, problem or matter under discussion. Newspapers and politicians use it constantly.
Zetiakos
A person who asks for money on the street. The word is related to zetao, to ask.
Zetisi
The noun for demand in economics or the act of seeking something. It also appears in the phrase for supply and demand.
Zetō
The first-person present of zetao, one of the first verbs Greek learners meet. It is used for asking directions, help and permission.
Zeumi
The liquid part of soup or stew, often soaked up with bread. Greeks also use it for the juices of a cooked dish.
Zeuktiki
A rarely used adjective about joining or linking. It comes from the same root as zeugma.
Zimi
Dough or the leavening used in bread and pastry. It is also the root of the English words zymurgy and enzyme.
Zimari
Prepared dough for bread, pies or pasta. It is the most common kitchen term for dough in Modern Greek.
Zimarika
The collective Greek word for pasta and other dough-based noodles. It covers spaghetti, orzo and the local varieties.
Zimosi
The chemical process in which yeast or bacteria turn sugars into alcohol or acids. Winemakers, brewers and bakers rely on it.
Zimoma
A less common term for fermenting dough or a ferment. It comes from the same root as zimi.
Zitho
Also written zythos, an ancient barley beer drunk in Egypt and the Greek world. The word is used today by some Greek craft breweries.
Ziziani
A weed or unwanted plant, and also a figurative word for troublemakers. The Biblical phrase about weeds among wheat uses it.
Zoe
One of the best-known Greek words, often written zoi. It is also a popular female name and the root of English zoology and zoetrope.
Zoi
The Modern Greek spelling of zoe. It appears in songs, toasts and everyday blessings.
Zografos
A painter or artist, literally someone who draws life. Icon painters are also called zografoi.
Zografiki
The art of painting, as a discipline or field of study. The same root gives English words like zoography.
Zografizo
The Greek verb for painting a picture, from zoe (life) and grapho (to write). Greek speakers also use it for painting a wall.
Zodio
One of the twelve astrological signs. The word comes from zoon, because most of the signs are animals.
Zodiakos
The band of sky containing the twelve constellations the sun appears to pass through. The word means circle of animals.
Zoo
Modern Greek for animal, spelled zoo in the transliteration. It is the source of English zoo, zoology and zoological.
Zoon
The ancient Greek singular for a living creature. It is famous from Aristotle’s phrase zoon politikon.
Zoon Politikon
Aristotle’s description of humans as beings who naturally live in communities. The phrase is still quoted in philosophy and political science.
Zoologia
The scientific study of animals, from zoon (animal) and logos (study). It is a standard university subject in Greece.
Zoofilia
An affection for animals or concern for their welfare. In Greek, the word is mostly used for animal-welfare causes.
Zoophyto
An old name for animals that look like plants, such as sponges and corals. It is mostly found in older scientific writing.
Zonaro
A traditional Greek surname and trade name for a belt maker. It is related to zoni, the word for belt.
Zoni
A belt worn at the waist, and the root of the English word zone. In modern Greek it also means a region, like a time zone.
Zombie
A borrowed word for the undead creatures of horror films. Greek uses the English spelling.
Zorba
The hero of Nikos Kazantzakis’s novel, known worldwide from the film Zorba the Greek. The name stands for a lust for life.
Zorbas
Used as a nickname for someone who lives passionately and freely. It comes from the novel and film.
Zouzouni
A playful word for a small insect or a small, lively thing. Parents also use it as an affectionate name for a small child.
Zoumi
The liquid in which meat or vegetables have been cooked. It is the standard Modern Greek word for broth.
Zougla
The word for a dense tropical forest, borrowed from Hindi through English. Greek also uses it for chaotic situations.
Zorizo
The verb for struggling or finding something difficult. It is common in everyday complaints.
Zoros
A word for force, effort or hardship. It appears in idioms about doing something against one’s will.
Zorbalikia
Used for brute force, oppression or bullying. Greek media uses it in discussion of school and workplace violence.
Zografia
A painted artwork hanging in a gallery or home. A close variant of zografiki.
Zygos
Used for a farm yoke and for a balance or scale. The word gave English zygote and zygomatic.
Zygaria
Everyday Greek for a weighing scale in a kitchen or shop. It also refers to the Libra constellation.
Zygizo
The verb for measuring weight. It is also used figuratively for considering a decision carefully.
Zygotis
The cell formed when two reproductive cells join. The term comes from zygon (yoke), because two cells are joined.
Zyme
The agent that makes bread rise and beer ferment. The ancient Greek zyme gave the English prefix zymo-.
Zymi
A variant spelling of zimi for kneaded dough. It is used in baking and in bakery names.
Zoogonia
The raising and breeding of animals. It is a specialized term from agricultural and veterinary study.
Zoofytiko
A rare compound adjective referring to both animals and plants. It is found in older nature writing.
Zoharos
A short form of the biblical name Zacharias, popular in Greece. It means the one whom God remembered.
Zakynthos
A Greek island in the Ionian Sea known for Navagio beach and loggerhead sea turtles. The island is also called Zante in English.