αρρώστια
Wordform Details
Translation: illnessdiseaseplague
Part of Speech: noun
Inflection Type:
femininesingularaccusativeIs Dictionary Form: Yes
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: αρρώστια
Translation: illness; sickness; disease (noun)
Etymology: From Medieval Greek ἀρρωστία (arrostia), from Ancient Greek ἄρρωστος (árrhōstos) meaning 'weak, sickly'. The root comes from ἀ- (a-) 'not' + ῥώννυμι (rhṓnnumi) 'to strengthen'. The same root gives us 'robust' in English (through Latin robustus), making αρρώστια literally mean 'non-robust' or 'lacking strength'.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'a-robust-ia' - the 'a' prefix means 'not' and 'robust' means 'strong', so it's 'not being robust/strong'
- Remember that 'α' (a-) at the start often means 'not' in Greek, so this is 'not-strength'
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Commonly used in everyday conversation about health. Greeks often use this term when discussing general illnesses rather than specific medical conditions, for which they might use more formal terms.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While both mean 'illness', αρρώστια is more colloquial and general, while ασθένεια is more formal and can refer to specific medical conditions
This word:
Έχω μια αρρώστια και δεν μπορώ να έρθω στη δουλειά.
I have an illness and can't come to work.
Notes: αρρώστια is more commonly used in everyday speech
Mnemonic: αρρώστια for everyday illness, ασθένεια for medical contexts