Learn Greek › C1 › ύλη
ύλη
matter (also: material, substance) /ˈi.li/
nounC1#3416 most common
Also: raw material, (school) syllabus content, matter (physics)
Example sentences
Η ύλη έχει βάρος.
Matter has weight.
Το νερό είναι μια μορφή ύλης.
Water is a form of matter.
Ο δάσκαλος μάς έδωσε την ύλη για το διαγώνισμα.
The teacher gave us the material for the exam.
Χρειαζόμαστε πρώτες ύλες για να φτιάξουμε το προϊόν.
We need raw materials to make the product.
Κατά τον Αριστοτέλη, η ύλη και η μορφή συνθέτουν κάθε ον.
According to Aristotle, matter and form together make up every being.
Η μετατροπή της ύλης σε ενέργεια περιγράφεται από την εξίσωση του Αϊνστάιν.
The conversion of matter into energy is described by Einstein's equation.
Declension
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | η ύλη | οι ύλες |
| Genitive | της ύλης | των υλών |
| Accusative | την ύλη | τις ύλες |
| Vocative | ύλη | ύλες |
Word family
υλικόmaterial, ingredient
άυλοςimmaterial, intangible
υλισμόςmaterialism
υλιστήςmaterialist
πρώτη ύληraw material
Etymology
The word comes from Ancient Greek ὕλη, which first meant 'forest' or 'timber, wood.' Aristotle repurposed it as a technical philosophical term for 'matter,' the raw stuff that takes on form. From there it settled into everyday Greek as the general word for matter or material, and later even for the content a student must study for an exam. Its origin before Greek is not settled; some scholars treat it as a native Greek development from 'wood,' others as a word Greek borrowed before records began.
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