θνητοί
Wordform Details
Translation: mortalshuman beingsthose who are mortal
Part of Speech: noun
Inflection Type:
masculinepluralnominativeIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: θνητός
Translation: mortal; perishable; human; finite (adjective)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek θνητός (thnētós), derived from the verb θνῄσκω (thnḗskō) meaning 'to die'. This shares the same Indo-European root (*dʰen-) as English words like 'death' and 'thanatology' (the study of death). The concept of mortality was central to ancient Greek philosophy and literature, where the distinction between mortals (θνητοί) and immortals (ἀθάνατοι) was fundamental to their worldview.
Example Usage
Όλοι οι άνθρωποι είναι θνητοί.
All humans are mortal.
Το θνητό σώμα και η αθάνατη ψυχή.
The mortal body and the immortal soul.
Η θνητή μας φύση μας υπενθυμίζει την αξία του χρόνου.
Our mortal nature reminds us of the value of time.
Οι αρχαίοι Έλληνες πίστευαν ότι οι θεοί επισκέπτονταν τους θνητούς.
The ancient Greeks believed that gods visited mortals.
Είμαστε όλοι θνητοί.
We are all mortals.
Η θνητή φύση του ανθρώπου είναι αναπόφευκτη.
The mortal nature of humans is inevitable.
Οι αρχαίοι Έλληνες διαχώριζαν τους θεούς από τους θνητούς.
The ancient Greeks distinguished gods from mortals.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'thanatology' (study of death) to remember θνητός relates to mortality
- The 'th' sound (θ) at the beginning can remind you of 'thanatos' (death)
- The word sounds somewhat like 'finite' which shares the meaning of being limited in duration
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Greek culture, the concept of mortality (θνητότητα) has deep philosophical and religious significance. The word appears frequently in literature, philosophy, and religious texts, often contrasted with the divine or immortal. In modern usage, it can have both literal meaning (referring to death) and metaphorical applications (referring to human limitations).
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While θνητός is the adjective form (mortal), θνητό is the noun form (a mortal being).
Notes: The distinction is similar to English 'mortal' as both an adjective and a noun.
Mnemonic: The adjective θνητός describes something, while the noun θνητό is the thing itself.
Explanation: θηλυκός (feminine) looks somewhat similar but refers to gender, not mortality.
Confused word:
Το θηλυκό λιοντάρι κυνηγάει για την οικογένειά της.
The female lion hunts for her family.
Notes: The letter 'ν' in θνητός vs 'λ' in θηλυκός is a key visual distinction.
Mnemonic: θνητός has to do with death (θάνατος), while θηλυκός has to do with female characteristics.