στατιστική
Lemma: στατιστική
Translation: statistics; statistical science (noun)
Etymology: From the Greek word 'στατιστικός' (statistikos), meaning 'concerning state affairs', derived from 'στατίζω' (statizo) 'to establish, set up'. The word ultimately comes from Ancient Greek 'στατός' (statos) meaning 'standing, stationary', from the Indo-European root *sta- (to stand). This same root gives us English words like 'state', 'static', 'station', and 'status'. The modern meaning of statistics as a mathematical science of data collection and analysis developed in the 18th century.
Example Usage
Η στατιστική δείχνει ότι το 70% των Ελλήνων πίνουν καφέ καθημερινά.
Statistics show that 70% of Greeks drink coffee daily.
Σπουδάζει στατιστική στο πανεπιστήμιο.
She is studying statistics at the university.
Σύμφωνα με τις στατιστικές, η ανεργία μειώθηκε κατά 2%.
According to statistics, unemployment decreased by 2%.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'static' in English - statistics deals with static (fixed) data points that don't move.
- The 'stat' in στατιστική sounds like 'state' - statistics originally dealt with state affairs and demographics.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Statistics is widely used in Greek academia, government, and business. The Hellenic Statistical Authority (ΕΛΣΤΑΤ) is the official statistics agency of Greece that collects and publishes data about the country's economy, population, and society.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'στατιστική' means 'statistics', 'στατική' means 'statics' (the branch of mechanics dealing with bodies at rest or forces in equilibrium).
This word:
Η στατιστική είναι απαραίτητη για την έρευνα αγοράς.
Statistics is essential for market research.
Notes: Both words derive from the same root related to 'standing' or 'stationary', but have evolved to describe different scientific fields.
Mnemonic: 'Στατιστική' has the extra 'στ' syllable - think 'statistics has extra data points'.
Explanation: 'Στατιστική' refers to statistics while 'στατικότητα' means 'staticness' or 'immobility'.
Confused word:
Η στατικότητα της οικονομίας προκαλεί ανησυχία.
The stagnation of the economy causes concern.
Notes: Despite their similar appearance, these words are used in completely different contexts.
Mnemonic: Think of 'στατιστική' as dynamic (analyzing changing data) while 'στατικότητα' is about lack of movement.