Learn Greek › A2 › πόρνη
πόρνη
prostitute /ˈpor.ni/
nounA2#781 most common
Also: whore, harlot
Example sentences
Αυτή η γυναίκα είναι πόρνη.
This woman is a prostitute.
Η πόρνη περπατάει στον δρόμο τη νύχτα.
The prostitute walks in the street at night.
Στο μυθιστόρημα, η πόρνη ερωτεύεται έναν φτωχό ποιητή.
In the novel, the prostitute falls in love with a poor poet.
Η λέξη «πόρνη» θεωρείται προσβλητική, γι' αυτό καλό είναι να την αποφεύγουμε.
The word "whore" is considered offensive, so it is best to avoid it.
Στην αρχαία Αθήνα, η πόρνη διέφερε από την εταίρα ως προς την κοινωνική της θέση.
In ancient Athens, the pórnē differed from the hetaira (courtesan) in her social status.
Παρά τον κοινωνικό στιγματισμό, πολλές λογοτεχνικές ηρωίδες που χαρακτηρίζονται ως «πόρνη» αναδεικνύονται τελικά σε σύμβολα αξιοπρέπειας και αντίστασης.
Despite the social stigma, many literary heroines labeled as "whores" ultimately emerge as symbols of dignity and resistance.
Declension
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | πόρνη | πόρνες |
| Genitive | πόρνης | πορνών |
| Accusative | πόρνη | πόρνες |
| Vocative | πόρνη | πόρνες |
Word family
πόρνοςmale prostitute; fornicator
πορνείαprostitution; fornication
πορνείοbrothel
πορνογραφίαpornography
πορνικόςof/relating to prostitution
Etymology
πόρνη derives from the ancient verb πέρνημι 'to sell, export (especially slaves)', reflecting the fact that prostitutes in antiquity were frequently bought slaves; the underlying sense is roughly 'a woman who is sold' or 'who sells herself'. It traces back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to sell, traffic, hand over'. The English words 'porn' and 'pornography' descend directly from πόρνη.
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