άγριος
Lemma: άγριος
Translation: wild; savage; fierce; untamed; rough; violent; brutal (adjective)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek ἄγριος (agrios), derived from ἀγρός (agros) meaning 'field' or 'countryside'. The connection to English 'agriculture' and 'agrarian' helps remember its association with the wild, untamed aspects of nature outside civilization. The word literally meant 'of the field' but evolved to mean 'wild' in contrast to domesticated or civilized. This semantic shift from 'rural' to 'wild' reflects ancient Greek attitudes toward the countryside as untamed and dangerous compared to the polis (city-state).
Example Usage
Είδαμε ένα άγριο ζώο στο δάσος.
We saw a wild animal in the forest.
Η θάλασσα είναι πολύ άγρια σήμερα.
The sea is very rough today.
Έχει άγριες διαθέσεις σήμερα.
He's in a bad mood today.
Τα άγρια λουλούδια είναι πιο όμορφα από τα καλλιεργημένα.
Wild flowers are more beautiful than cultivated ones.
Μην με κοιτάς με αυτό το άγριο βλέμμα.
Don't look at me with that fierce gaze.
Είδαμε ένα άγριο λιοντάρι στο σαφάρι.
We saw a wild lion on the safari.
Έχει άγριο χαρακτήρα.
He has a fierce character.
Μου έριξε ένα άγριο βλέμμα.
He gave me a fierce look.
Έχει άγριο βλέμμα όταν θυμώνει.
He has a fierce look when he gets angry.
Τα άγρια λουλούδια είναι πιο όμορφα.
Wild flowers are more beautiful.
Είδαμε άγρια ζώα στο δάσος.
We saw wild animals in the forest.
Η θάλασσα ήταν άγρια σήμερα.
The sea was rough today.
Mnemonics
- Think 'agriculture' - but the opposite: not cultivated farmland but wild, untamed nature
- Sounds like 'angry' - wild things are often angry and fierce
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Often used to describe both literal wild animals and metaphorically fierce behavior. Common in nature documentaries, news reports about violence, and everyday speech to describe intense emotions or rough conditions.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: άγριος means 'wild' while αγρός means 'field' - they share the same root but have different meanings
Confused word:
Ο αγρός είναι γεμάτος σιτάρι.
The field is full of wheat.
Notes: Both come from the same ancient root but diverged - one became 'wild' (opposite of cultivated) and the other remained 'field'
Mnemonic: άγριος has -ιος ending like many adjectives; αγρός is a simple noun for cultivated land