ώρα
Lemma: ώρα
Translation: hour; time; moment; o'clock; season (noun)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek ὥρα (hṓra), meaning 'any period of time', 'season', or 'hour'. The word originally referred to any fixed or defined period, including seasons of the year. It shares the same Indo-European root as English 'year' and is related to the word 'horology' (the study of time measurement). The English word 'hour' is directly derived from this Greek root through Latin 'hora'.
Example Usage
Τι ώρα είναι;
What time is it?
Είναι ώρα για φαγητό.
It's time for food.
Θα συναντηθούμε σε μια ώρα.
We will meet in an hour.
Καλή ώρα, όπως εσύ.
Like you, for example. (Literally: good time, like you)
Πέρασε η ώρα.
Time has passed.
Θα συναντηθούμε στις τρεις η ώρα.
We will meet at three o'clock.
Πέρασα δύο ώρες διαβάζοντας.
I spent two hours reading.
Καλή ώρα!
Good timing!
Mnemonics
- Think of 'horology' (the study of time) to remember 'ώρα' means 'hour' or 'time'
- The English word 'hour' sounds similar to 'ώρα'
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Greek culture, 'ώρα' is used in many common expressions related to time. Greeks often use the phrase 'Τι ώρα είναι;' (What time is it?) in daily conversation. The concept of 'ώρα' is also important in Greek hospitality, where there's always 'ώρα' (time) for coffee with friends.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'ώρα' means 'time' or 'hour', 'χώρα' means 'country'. They look and sound similar but have completely different meanings.
This word:
Τι ώρα είναι;
What time is it?
Notes: The difference is just one letter (χ), but the meanings are completely unrelated.
Mnemonic: 'ώρα' (time) is shorter than 'χώρα' (country) - time flies, but countries endure.
Explanation: 'ώρα' means 'time/hour' while 'όρα' is an imperative form of the verb 'βλέπω' meaning 'look/see'.
Notes: The difference is subtle in pronunciation but significant in meaning.
Mnemonic: 'ώρα' has the accent on 'ώ' (time passes), while 'όρα' has it on 'ό' (look ahead).