αρνί
Wordform Details
Translation: lamb
Part of Speech: unknown
Inflection Type:
unknownIs Dictionary Form: Yes
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: αρνί
Translation: lamb; young sheep (noun)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek ἀρνίον (arnion), diminutive of ἀρήν (arēn) meaning 'lamb'. The word has remained remarkably stable in meaning throughout Greek history. The sacrificial lamb imagery in Christianity helped preserve this word's form across centuries.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'ARNi' like you're saying 'R knee' - imagine a lamb bumping its knee against you
- Connect with 'Arnold' - a strong name for a gentle lamb
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Extremely important in Greek cuisine and culture, particularly during Easter when whole lambs are roasted on spits. The word carries strong religious connotations due to its importance in both Orthodox Christianity and earlier Greek religious practices.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While αρνί means 'lamb', αρνούμαι means 'to refuse/deny' - they share the same first syllable but are unrelated
This word:
Έφαγα αρνί χθες.
I ate lamb yesterday.
Confused word:
Αρνούμαι να το κάνω.
I refuse to do it.
Notes: Despite similar spelling, these words have completely different etymological origins
Mnemonic: αρνί (ARni) is the animal, αρνούμαι (arNOUmai) contains 'no' in it for 'refuse'