One of the very first words that a beginner learns in Greek is the word “home”, «σπίτι» (spíti). This word, in fact, is of Latin origin. It comes from the word hospes, that is a “host, guest” and the suffix -ium, thus we have the Latin word hospitium or hospicium.
Was there an original Greek word for that? Yes! It was called «οἶκος» (íkos) or «οἰκία» (ikía) and surely you have encountered it in compound words. We present you a few examples:
- Ο οικοδόμος (o ikothómos) = builder, constructor
- Η οικογένεια (i ikoghénia) = family
- Η πολυκατοικία (i polikatikía)= block of flats
- Το ενοίκιο (to eníkio) = rent
- Το κατοικίδιο (to katikíthio)= pet
Also, we still use the word «οίκος» (íkos) in these particular examples:
- Ο Λευκός Οίκος (o lefkós íkos) = The White House
- Ο οίκος ευγηρίας (o íkos evghirías) = nursing home
- Ο εκδοτικός οίκος (o ekthotikós íkos) = publishing house
- Ο οίκος μόδας (o íkos móthas) = fashion house
And what about the word «σπίτι» (spíti)? We do have some compound words too! Worth remembering are the following:
- Το τροχόσπιτο (to trohóspito) = caravan, trailer, mobile home
- Το κουκλόσπιτο (to kuklóspito) = dollhouse
Another derivative word that you will hear very often is the adjective «σπιτικός» (spitikós), for example «σπιτικό φαγητό» (spitikó faghitó), that is “homemade food”.