υπάλληλος
Wordform Details
Translation: employeeofficialclerk
Part of Speech: noun
Inflection Type:
masculinesingularnominativeIs Dictionary Form: Yes
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: υπάλληλος
Translation: employee; clerk; staff member; civil servant; official (noun)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek ὑπάλληλος (hypállēlos), composed of ὑπό (hypó, 'under') + ἄλλος (állos, 'other'). The original meaning was 'subordinate to another' or 'under someone else's authority'. The prefix ὑπό is cognate with English 'hypo-' (as in 'hypothesis', 'hypochondriac') and Latin 'sub-'. The root ἄλλος is related to Latin 'alius' (other) and English 'else', 'alien'. This etymology perfectly captures the hierarchical nature of employment - being under the authority of another person or organization.
Example Usage
Είμαι υπάλληλος σε μια τράπεζα.
I am an employee at a bank.
Οι υπάλληλοι της εταιρείας είναι πολύ φιλικοί.
The company's employees are very friendly.
Ο υπάλληλος του ταχυδρομείου μου έδωσε το γράμμα.
The post office clerk gave me the letter.
Οι υπάλληλοι της εταιρείας παίρνουν καλό μισθό.
The company's employees receive good salaries.
Η υπάλληλος στο ταμείο ήταν πολύ ευγενική.
The clerk at the cashier was very polite.
Mnemonics
- Think 'hypo-' (under) + 'allos' (other) = someone under another's authority
- Remember 'hypoallergenic' - 'hypo' means under, so υπάλληλος is someone 'under' a boss
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Greece, the term is commonly used for both private sector employees and public sector civil servants. Greek public sector employment (δημόσιος τομέας) has traditionally been significant, and being a δημόσιος υπάλληλος (public employee) is often considered a stable career choice. The word carries neutral connotations, unlike some English equivalents like 'bureaucrat' which can be pejorative.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: υπάλληλος means employee/subordinate while υπεύθυνος means responsible person/manager - essentially opposite hierarchical positions
Notes: Both start with υπ- but have opposite meanings in workplace hierarchy
Mnemonic: υπάλληλος has 'άλλος' (other) - works for others; υπεύθυνος has 'ευθύνη' (responsibility) - responsible for others