γέρος

From Ancient Greek γέρων (gérōn).

• IPA^(key): /ˈʝeɾos/
• Hyphenation: γέ‧ρος

γέρος • (géros) m (plural γέροι, feminine γριά)

1. old man (elderly male person)

   Ο γέρος καθόταν όλη μέρα στο καφενείο. ― O géros kathótan óli méra sto kafeneío. ― The old man sat in the coffee shop all day long.

2. (colloquial intimate impolite) old man (one's father)

   Με ενοχλεί συνέχεια ο γέρος μου να βρω δουλειά. ― Me enochleí synécheia o géros mou na vro douleiá. ― My old man is constantly bothering me to get a job.

• γέρος can be used adjectivally and has the comparatives:

  πιο γέρος (pio géros)

  γεροντότερος (gerontóteros)

• But:
  • The more common: παλιός (paliós, “old, worn, shabby, previous, former”) is not used of people's age.
  • The more polite: ηλικιωμένος (ilikioménos, “elderly”) is used when referring to an old person.

• καλόγερος m (kalógeros, “monk”)
• (literature) Ο γέρος και η θάλασσα Translated title of The Old Man and The Sea by Hemingway.

• compare with: γερός (gerós, “robust”, adjective)