Learn Greek › B2 › σφαγή
σφαγή
slaughter /sfaˈʝi/
nounB2#2590 most common
Also: massacre, sacrifice (of an animal), butchering
Example sentences
Ο χασάπης πάει το πρόβατο για σφαγή.
The butcher is taking the sheep for slaughter.
Η σφαγή των ζώων γίνεται στο σφαγείο.
The slaughter of the animals takes place at the slaughterhouse.
Πριν το Πάσχα, πολλές οικογένειες κάνουν τη σφαγή του αρνιού στο σπίτι.
Before Easter, many families carry out the slaughter of the lamb at home.
Οι δημοσιογράφοι κατέγραψαν τη σφαγή αμάχων στην περιοχή.
The journalists documented the massacre of civilians in the area.
Το μνημείο στη Χίο θυμίζει τη σφαγή του 1822.
The memorial on Chios commemorates the massacre of 1822.
Τα χρονικά της εποχής περιγράφουν τη σφαγή με φρικτές λεπτομέρειες, δίχως να παραλείπουν τίποτα.
The chronicles of the period describe the massacre in horrific detail, leaving nothing out.
Declension
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | η σφαγή | οι σφαγές |
| Genitive | της σφαγής | των σφαγών |
| Accusative | τη σφαγή | τις σφαγές |
| Vocative | σφαγή | σφαγές |
Word family
σφάζωto slaughter, slit the throat
σφαγείοslaughterhouse
σφάγιοanimal destined for slaughter, sacrificial victim
σφαγέαςone who slaughters, a butcher or killer
σφαγιάζωto slaughter or sacrifice
Etymology
σφαγή is an ancient Greek noun formed from the verb σφάζω, meaning to slit the throat or slaughter. The suffix -ή turns the verb into an abstract noun naming the act itself. The word kept the same core sense, the killing of an animal or a person by cutting, through Koine and into Modern Greek, where it also gained the extended sense of a massacre.
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