επέτειος
Wordform Details
Translation: anniversary
Part of Speech: noun
Inflection Type:
femininesingularnominativeIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: επέτειος
Translation: anniversary (noun)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek 'ἐπέτειος' (epéteios) meaning 'annual, yearly', which comes from 'ἐπί' (epí, 'upon, at') + 'ἔτος' (étos, 'year'). The word literally means 'upon a year' or 'at a year', indicating something that occurs yearly or annually. The English word 'anniversary' has a similar conceptual basis, coming from Latin 'anniversarius' meaning 'returning yearly'.
Example Usage
Σήμερα γιορτάζουμε την επέτειο του γάμου μας.
Today we are celebrating our wedding anniversary.
Η επέτειος της 28ης Οκτωβρίου είναι εθνική εορτή στην Ελλάδα.
The anniversary of October 28th is a national holiday in Greece.
Φέτος συμπληρώνονται 200 χρόνια από την Ελληνική Επανάσταση, μια σημαντική επέτειος.
This year marks 200 years since the Greek Revolution, an important anniversary.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'epi' (upon) + 'etos' (year) = something that happens 'upon a year'
- Connect it with 'epitome' in English (which also starts with 'epi-') and imagine the anniversary as the epitome or highlight of the year
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
In Greek culture, anniversaries (επέτειοι) are important occasions for both personal celebrations like weddings and national commemorations of historical events. National holidays often mark the επέτειος of significant historical moments, such as the Greek War of Independence or 'Oxi Day'.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'επέτειος' means 'anniversary', 'επιτήρηση' means 'supervision' or 'surveillance'. They look somewhat similar but have completely different meanings.
Confused word:
Η επιτήρηση των μαθητών είναι ευθύνη των καθηγητών.
The supervision of students is the responsibility of the teachers.
Notes: The stress falls on different syllables: επΈτειος vs. επιτΉρηση.
Mnemonic: 'Επέτειος' contains 'έτος' (year), while 'επιτήρηση' contains 'τήρηση' (keeping, observing).