Thing in Greek
πράγμα
pragma — thing
Hear πράγμα
Πράγμα (pragma) is the all-purpose "thing", stressed on the first syllable, PRAG-ma. Plural πράγματα. It does the work English gives to thing, matter, stuff and business, and Greeks lean on it constantly when a precise word will not come.
English borrowed the root without changing much. Pragmatic, pragmatism and pragmatist all trace back through Latin to the same πρᾶγμα, carrying the sense of dealing with concrete matters rather than abstractions. Modern Greek still has πραγματικός for "real" and πράγματι for "indeed".
The plural does something the singular does not: τα πράγματα means belongings or luggage. Μάζεψε τα πράγματά σου is what a parent says to a child leaving toys on the floor, and what a hotel receptionist means when asking about your bags.
Example sentences
Τι είναι αυτό το πράγμα;
Ti einai afto to pragma?
What is this thing?
Πάρε τα πράγματά σου.
Pare ta pragmata sou.
Take your things.
Related forms
- πράγματα (pragmata) — things, belongings, luggage
- πραγματικός (pragmatikos) — real, actual
Common questions
- Does pragmatic come from the Greek word for thing?
- Yes. Pragmatic reaches English through Latin from Ancient Greek πρᾶγμα, the same word Modern Greek still uses for "thing". The sense carried over is concern with concrete matters rather than theory.
Quick check
Pick the Greek word that matches.
How do you say "thing" in Greek?
Related words
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